Constitution and Statutes 

- — OF THE ■ — — 

BENEVOLENT AND PROTECTIVE 

ORDER OF ELKS 


OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 



















BENEVOI-ENT AND PROTECTIVE 

ORDER OF ELKS 

OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 


Constitution and Statutes 

First Edition, 1908 


Published by authority of the Grand Lodge and Distributed 
through the Office of the Grand Secretary, 

FRED C. ROBINSON, 

DUBUQUE, IOWA 


SEPTEMBER I, 1908 





This new Constitution was adopted by the Grand 
Lodge at its Annual Session held in Denver, Colo., 
July 19 , 1906 , and by resolution was submitted to the 
Subordinate Lodges who ratified it by a large majority 
vote. The same took effect and superceded the former 
Constitution upon the convening of the Annual Session 
of the Grand Lodge held in Philadelphia, Pa., July 16 , 
1907 . 

The Statutes were submitted by the Committee on 
Constitutional Revision at the Forty-Third Annual Ses¬ 
sion of the Grand Lodge held in Philadelphia, Pa., July 
16 , 1907 , and regularly adopted, to be in force and effect, 
on and after September 1 , 1907 . All Laws and Statutes 
heretofore enacted by the Grand Lodge, stand repealed 
and of no effect, on and after said date. 

2 s~4-4o/ 

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sl7U ' ; 


CONSTITUTION 

\ ' OF THE 

Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks 

OF TEH 

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 


PREAMBLE. 

To inculcate the principles of Charity, Justice, Brotherly 
Love and Fidelity; to promote the welfare and enhance the 
happiness of its members; to quicken the spirit of American 
patriotism; to cultivate good fellowship; to perpetuate itself 
as a fraternal organization, and to provide for its govern¬ 
ment, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of the 
United States of America ordains this Constitution. 

ARTICLE I. 

The Supreme Law. 

Section 1. This Constitution, the Statutes enacted by the 
Grand Lodge not in conflict therewith, and the Ritual, with 
the instructions therein contained, shall be the supreme law 
of the Order. 

ARTICLE II. 

Departments of Government 

Section 1. The powers of government shall be divided 
into three independent, co-ordinate departments, viz: Legis¬ 
lative, Executive and Judicial. 

ARTICLE III. 

Legislative Department 

Section 1. The legislative power shall be vested in a 
Grand Lodge, which shall consist of: 

(1) Its Past Grand Exalted Rulers in good standing in 
their respective Lodges. 

(2) Its Officers, Members of Committees, and District 
Deputy Grand Exalted Rulers. 

(3) The Members of the Grand Lodge at the time this 
Constitution shall take effect, who shall retain their member¬ 
ship as hereinafter provided. 

(4) Representatives of Subordinate Lodges. 



4 


CONSTITUTION AND STATUTES 


Sec. 2. (1) The Officers of the Grand Lodge shall be: 

The Grand Exalted Ruler. 

The Grand Esteemed Leading Knight. 

The Grand Esteemed Loyal Knight. 

The Grand Esteemed Lecturing Knight. 

The Grand Secretary. 

The Grand Treasurer. 

The Grand Tiler. 

The Grand Esquire. 

The Grand Inner Guard. 

The Grand Chaplain, and 

The Grand Trustees. 

(2) The Grand Exalted Ruler, the Grand Esteemed Lead¬ 
ing Knight, the Grand Esteemed Loyal Knight, the Grand 
Esteemed Lecturing Knight, the Grand Secretary, the Grand 
Treasurer, the Grand Tiler,- the Grand Inner Guard and the 
Grand Trustees shall be elected by the Grand Lodge in such 
manner as it shall by statute provide. All other Grand Lodge 
officers, not elective as herein provided, shall be appointed by 
the Grand Exalted Ruler. The Grand Lodge may create other 
offices and provide by statute the method of filling the same. 

(3) The term of office of the officers named in this Con¬ 
stitution, except that of the Grand Trustees, shall be the 
Grand Lodge year succeeding their election or appointment, 
and until their successors shall have been elected or appointed 
and qualified. The term of office of the Grand Trustees, of 
whom there shall be five, shall be the five Grand Lodge years 
succeeding their election, and until their successors have been 
elected and qualified. Provided, however, that the Grand 
Trustees in office at the time of the adoption of this Constitu¬ 
tion shall continue to the end of the terms for which they 
were elected; and provided, further, that a Grand Trustee who 
has served a full term shall be ineligible for re-election. For 
the purpose of carrying into effect the provisions herein, rela¬ 
tive to the number of Grand Trustees, the Grand Lodge, at its 
annual session in 1907, shall elect three Grand Trustees for the 
terms of three, four and five years, respectively. 

Sec. 3. Any member in good standing in his Subordinate 
Lodge, who shall have served as a member of one Grand 
Lodge session, shall be eligible to any of the offices created 
by this Constitution. 

Sec. 4. Each Subordinate Lodge shall be entitled to one 


BENEVOLENT AND PROTECTIVE ORDER OF ELKS. 


5 


representative to the Grand Lodge, who shall be elected from 
the Past Exalted Rulers in good standing on its rolls. 

The term of office of representative shall be one year. 

A Lodge under charter shall, at its first election, elect a 
representative for one year. 

A Lodge acting under dispensation shall have the right 
to elect a representative from any of its past or present 
officers, provided, however, that the rights or privileges of 
such representative shall, until a charter is authorized to his 
Lodge, be limited to questions pertaining to his Lodge. 

Each Lodge shall pay the necessary expenses of its rep¬ 
resentative to the Grand Lodge. 

Sec. 5. (1) If any mepiber of the Grand Lodge, as it 

shall be constituted at the time this Constitution shall take 
effect, shall thereafter fail to attend Grand Lodge for four 
consecutive annual sessions, or shall be stricken from the 
rolls of his Subordinate Lodge, he shall forfeit his Grand 
Lodge membership; provided, however, that the session or 
sessions of the Grand Lodge held while a member is absent 
from the country, in the service of the government, shall not 
be counted. 

(2) No person shall be entitled to a seat in the Grand 
Lodge while not in good standing in his Subordinate Lodge. 
An Officer, Member of a Committee, District Deputy Grand 
Exalted Ruler, or Representative of a Subordinate Lodge shall 
forfeit his position by failure to keep in good standing in his 
Subordinate Lodge. 

Sec. 6. The Grand Lodge shall fix the time and place for 
its next annual session. The Grand Exalted Ruler, with the 
approval of the Board of Grand Trustees, may, in case of 
emergency, and as provided by statute, convene the Grand 
Lodge in special session. 

Sec. 7. One hundred members of the Grand Lodge, of 
whom at least two shall be elective officers, shall constitute a 
quorum. 

Sec. 8. The Grand Lodge shall be the judge of the elec¬ 
tion and qualifications of its members. It shall have the power 
to suspend or expel any of its members, as may be provided 
by statute. 


6 


CONSTITUTION AND STATUTES 


Sec. 9, The Grand Lodge shall have power: 

(1) To define the powers and duties of its officers and 
committees, except as they may be fixed by the Constitution. 

(2) To define offenses by any member or Lodge of the 
Order and prescribe penalties therefor. 

(3) To provide revenue for the Grand Lodge, control 
its property, and appropriate its funds. 

(4) To act as the trustee of funds raised or contributed 
by the members or Lodges of the Order for charitable pur¬ 
poses, and to control the use and distribution of such funds 
by statute. 

(5) To provide for the institution of Subordinate 
Lodges, the issuance of dispensations and charters thereto, 
the manner in which the same may be suspended or forfeited, 
and the laws by which the same shall be governed. 

(6) To provide the Ritual of, and prescribe the parapher¬ 
nalia, emblems and jewels used in the Order. 

(7) To provide by statute for the enforcement of the 
orders of the Grand Lodge and the Grand Exalted Ruler, and 
the decrees, judgments and orders of the Grand Forum, Inter¬ 
mediate Forums and Judicial Assemblies. 

(8) To enact all statutes which shall be necessary and 
proper for carrying into execution the foregoing powers, 
and all other powers vested by this Constitution, in the gov¬ 
ernment of the Order, or of any department or officer thereof, 
or such as will preserve the interests or promote the general 
welfare of the Order and its members. 

Sec. 10. The Grand Lodge may by statute provide for the 
impeachment and removal from office of any Grand Lodge 
officer, and define the offenses for which impeachment may 
lie, but shall possess no other power with reference thereto 
than removal from office and disqualification to hold office in 
the Grand Lodge thereafter. 

Sec. 11. All laws enacted by the Grand Lodge shall be of 
general application, and shall be called statutes. 

Sec. 12. Any proposed amendment of a statute shall be 
submitted in writing and shall set out in full the section or 
sections as the same will read if amended as proposed. 

Sec. 13. All statutes shall take effect within thirty days 
after the adjournment of the session at which they are en¬ 
acted, unless otherwise provided. 

Sec. 14. A Grand Lodge officer shall not be convicted 


BENEVOLENT AND PROTECTIVE ORDER OF ELKS. 


7 


and removed on impeachment, without a two-thirds vote. All 
other questions, except amendments to the Constitution, shall 
be decided by a majority vote. 

Sec. 15. The Grand Lodge shall annually fix a per capita 
tax for raising revenue to meet the expenses of the Grand 
Lodge, including the maintenance of the Elks’ National Home, 
so long as the Home shall be maintained by statute. No 
money shall be drawn from the Treasury except in pursuance 
of appropriation made by statute. 

Sec. 16. Upon demand of the representatives from not 
less than twenty-five Lodges, the ayes and noes may be or¬ 
dered upon any question, and entered upon the journal. 

Sec. 17. Subordinate Lodges may be instituted in any 
city in the United States of America, or its possessions, hav¬ 
ing within its corporate limits five thousand or more inhab¬ 
itants, according to the last national, state, or municipal 
census. 

Sec. 18. There shall be but one Lodge hereafter estab¬ 
lished in any city. 

Sec. 19. There shall be no branches o r degrees of mem¬ 
bership in the Order, or any insurance or mutual benefit fea¬ 
tures, or other adjuncts or auxiliaries. 

Sec. 20. The Grand Lodge shall keep a journal of its 
proceedings, which shall be published and distributed in such 
manner as the Grand Lodge may provide. 

ARTICLE IV. 

Executive Department. 

Section 1. The executive power shall be vested in the 
Grand Exalted Ruler. 

Sec. 2. The obligation taken by the Grand Exalted Ruler 
at his installation, shall embrace the following oath: 

“1 solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully exe¬ 
cute the office of Grand Exalted Ruler, and will to the best 
of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution 
of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of the United 
States of America.” 

Sec. 3. In case of the removal of the Grand Exalted 
Ruler from office, or of his death, resignation or inability to 
discharge the powers and duties of his office, the same shall 
devolve upon the other officers named in Sec. 2, Article III., 
in the order named therein. 

Sec. 4. The Grand Exalted Ruler shall appoint all stand¬ 
ing committees, and all special committees, when the statute, 


CONSTITUTION AND STATUTES 


motion or resolution authorizing their appointment, does not 
otherwise provide. 

Sec. 5. The Grand Exalted Ruler shall have power to 
fill vacancies in offices which are appointive with the consent 
of the Grand Lodge, and such appointees shall serve until the 
next annual session of the Grand Lodge, and thereafter for 
the unexpired term, if confirmed by the Grand Lodge. He 
shall also have power to fill all other vacancies in office that 
may occur while the Grand Lodge is not in session, by grant¬ 
ing commissions, which shall expire with the ensuing session 
of the Grand Lodge. 

Sec. 6. The Grand Exalted Ruler shall have general su¬ 
pervisory power over all subordinate officers of the Grand 
Lodge, shall have access to all books, papers, documents and 
letters of any subordinate officer, or any officer of any Sub¬ 
ordinate Lodge and may require from either a report in writ¬ 
ing as to any matter within his knowledge. 

Sec. 7. The Grand Exalted Ruler, at the annual session 
of the Grand Lodge, shall make a report of his official acts 
and the general condition of the Order and make such recom¬ 
mendations as he may deem proper for the information of 
the Grand Lodge. 

Sec. 8. The Grand Exalted Ruler shall have power to 
grant dispensations to organize Subordinate Lodges, in the 
manner provided by statute. 

Sec. 9. The Grand Exalted Ruler shall appoint such Dis¬ 
trict Deputy Grand Exalted Rulers as may be provided by 
statute. He may in special cases, by executive order, appoint 
a Special Deputy Grand Exalted Ruler and commission him 
to perform such duties as may be assigned to him. 

Sec. 10. The Grand Exalted Ruler shall have power by 
and with the consent of a majority of the Board of Grand 
Trustees, to suspend for violation of law, or for other good 
cause, any officer of the Grand Lodge, or the charter or dis¬ 
pensation of any Subordinate Lodge, and report the same to 
the next annual session of the Grand Lodge, for its approval. 

Sec. 11. The Grand Exalted Ruler shall have power to 
convene a Subordinate Lodge in special session. He shall in 
such cases, transmit to the Secretary of such Lodge, a written 
order directing him forthwith to notify all the members of 
the Lodge of the time of such meeting, which shall not be 
less than five days from the date when the order should be 
received by the Secretary in ordinary course of mail. Such 
order shall soerifv the matter to be considered TTr»on the 
order shall specify the matter to be considered. Upon the 


BENEVOLENT AND PROTECTIVE ORDER OF ELKS. 9 

convening of the Lodge, the special order for the meeting 
shall be “Good of the Order,” under which the Grand Exalted 
Ruler or his District or Special Deputy shall have the right 
to take up the matter referred to. 

Sec. 12. It shall be the duty of the Grand Exalted Ruler 
to enforce the laws of the Order, the decrees, judgments and 
orders of the Grand Forum, and Intermediate Forums and to 
protect and defend the Order, and he is vested with all power 
necessary for the performance of such duty. 

ARTICLE V. 

The Judicial Department. 

Section 1. The judicial power shall be vested in one 
Grand Forum, in such Intermediate Forums as the Grand 
Lodge may from time to time establish, and in Judicial As¬ 
semblies. The decisions of the Supreme Court of the United 
States construing the words, “judicial powers,” as used in the 
Constitution of the United States, shall be binding upon the 
Grand Forum in construing the words, “judicial powers” 
herein. 

Sec. 2. The Grand Forum shall consist of five members 
who shall be called Grand Justices, and whose term of office 
shall be five years and until their successors have been ap¬ 
pointed and qualified; Provided, however, that on the first day 
of the annual Grand Lodge session of 1907, the Grand Ex¬ 
alted Ruler shall nominate, and with the consent of the Grand 
Lodge, appoint five Grand Justices who shall hold their 
offices for one, two, three, four, and five years, respectively. 
Thereafter at each annual Grand Lodge session the Grand 
Exalted Ruler shall nominate, and with the consent of the 
Grand Lodge, appoint one Grand Justice in manner provided 
by statute. 

Sec. 3. The Grand Forum shall hold at least three terms 
in each year, at times and places to be determined by it, un¬ 
less otherwise provided by statute. 

Sec. 4. The Judicial Assemblies shall consist of Sub¬ 
ordinate Lodges acting under the order of business “Judicial 
Assembly.” They shall have original jurisdiction in all mat¬ 
ters involving charges against a member of a Subordinate 
Lodge. Appellate jurisdiction of these matters, and original 
jurisdiction in other matters, shall be vested in the Grand 
Forum, or in such Intermediate Forums as may be created by 
the Grand Lodge. 

Sec. 5. The Judicial Assemblies shall receive complaint* 


10 


CONSTITUTION AND STATUTES 


against and try members of Subordinate Lodges, for viola¬ 
tion of the laws of the Order. In all trials in a judicial as¬ 
sembly, a decision shall be rendered without unnecessary de¬ 
lay, and shall be final, unless an appeal is taken. 

Sec. 6. The appellate forum shall review and determine 
errors of law occurring upon the trial, including the question 
of whether there was any legal evidence to sustain the finding 
of facts, and shall affirm or reverse the decision, or remand 
the same for a new trial or other proceedings in accordance 
with the opinion. Provided, however, that the Grand Exalted 
Ruler, when he deems it for the good of the Order, may take 
an appeal from a Judicial Assembly or an Intermediate 
Forum to the Grand Forum, for a re-trial of the case 
upon its merits before the Grand Forum. A decision of a 
Judicial Assembly or an Intermediate Forum, shall be en¬ 
forced pending appeal, unless stayed or suspended by order 
of one of the Grand Justices. 

Sec. 7. The Grand Lodge may, upon two-thirds vote, 
pardon any member of this Order theretofore found guilty 
by the Grand Forum, or where the Grand Forum has affirmed 
the conviction of an Elk. 

Sec. 8. The Grand Forum shall prescribe rules of prac¬ 
tice and procedure for the Forums and Judicial Assemblies of 
the Order, where not prescribed by statute. 

Sec. 9. All decisions of the Grand Forum shall be in 
writing, and shall be filed, together with syllabi thereof, with 
the Grand Secretary. 

Sec. 10. A Grand Justice, during his term of office, shall 
be ineligible as representative to the Grand Lodge, and as a 
Grand Lodge member shall not participate in the proceedings 
of Grand Lodge sessions, except in the election of officers. 

ARTICLE VI. 

Subordinate Lodges. 

Section 1. A Subordinate Lodge can be instituted only 
as provided in this Constitution and statutes enacted in con¬ 
formity therewith. It shall consist of not less than twenty- 
five (25) members. 

Sec. 2. The officers of a Subordinate Lodge shall be an 
Exalted Ruler, an Esteemed Leading Knight, an Esteemed 
Loyal Knight, an Esteemed Lecturing Knight, a Secretary, a 
Treasurer, an Esquire, a Tiler, a Chaplain, an Inner Guard, 
a Board of Trustees, of not less than three, and such other 


BENEVOLENT AND PROTECTIVE ORDER OF ELKS. 


XI 


officers as may be authorized by statute, all of whom shall be 
elected or appointed, and hold office for such terms as may be 
provided by statute 

Sec. 3. Nine (9) members of a Subordinate Lodge, of 
whom at least two shall be elective officers, shall constitute 
a quorum. 

Sec. 4. Membership in the Order is limited to white male 
citizens of the United States of America not under twenty-one 
years of age, and having such other qualifications as may be 
provided by statute. 

Sec. 5. Subordinate Lodges shall have such territorial 
jurisdiction as may be fixed by statute. 

Sec. 6. The fee for membership in a Subordinate Lodge 
shall not be less than twenty-five dollars. 

Sec. 7. Each Subordinate Lodge shall display its charter 
or dispensation in the Lodge room when in session. 

Sec. 8. Each Subordinate Lodge shall have general juris¬ 
diction over its members, and those holding dimits and un¬ 
affiliated Elks formerly on its rolls; and such other power and 
'authority as may be incident to conducting the business of 
Subordinate Lodge, not in conflict with the laws of the Or¬ 
der. 

Sec. 9. The name of each Lodge hereafter instituted shall 
be that of the city in which it is located, and its serial num¬ 
ber. 


ARTICLE VII. 

General Provisions. 

Section 1. A Grand Lodge year shall be from the instal¬ 
lation of'officers at the annual session of one year, to the 
installation of officers at the annual session of the following 
year. 

Sec. 2. The Grand Lodge shall have a seal, of which the 
Grand Secretary shall be the custodian, and he shall use the 
same to authenticate such documents or papers as require his 
official attestation. 

Sec. 3. Neither the Grand Lodge nor any Subordinate 
Lodge shall pass any retroactive law, nor any law in conflict 
with this Constitution, or the laws of the United States, or of 
any state or territory in which a Subordinate Lodge is lo¬ 
cated, nor pass any law which will interfere with the religious 
or political convictions of members of the Order. 


12 


CONSTITUTION AND STATUTES 


Sec. 4. When a Subordinate Lodge is suspended or dis¬ 
solved by surrender or forfeiture of its dispensation or char¬ 
ter, only such dispensation or charter, books, papers, jewels, 
emblems, regalia, and other effects necessary to conduct the 
ceremony of the Ritual, shall become the property of the 
Grand Lodge. 


ARTICLE VIII. 

Amendments. 

Section 1. Any amendment to the Constitution must be 
submitted in writing, at an annual session of the Grand Lodge. 
If such amendment be approved by a two-thirds vote of the 
members of the Grand Lodge present and voting, it shall be 
submitted to all Subordinate Lodges for adoption or rejection, 
and a time fixed when the Subordinate Lodges shall vote upon 
the same. Each Subordinate Lodge shall cast one vote for 
each member accredited to it upon the books of the Grand 
Lodge, and shall cast its entire vote either for or against the 
adoption of the amendment, as may be determined by a ma¬ 
jority of the members of the Subordinate Lodge present and 
voting. If an amendment shall receive a majority of the votes 
cast by the Subordinate Lodges, it shall be declared adopted, 
and shall be immediately promulgated as part of this Consti¬ 
tution. 

Sec. 2. The failure of a Subordinate Lodge to vote upon 
the adoption or rejection of any such amendment and to 
make return thereof within the time fixed by the Grand Lodge, 
shall be an act of contumacy. 

Sec. 3. If this Constitution is adopted, it shall take effect 
and supersede all the present Constitution upon the conven¬ 
ing of the annual session of the Grand Lodge in 1907; pro¬ 
vided, however, that the then existing officers and committees 
of the Grand Lodge shall continue to hold their offices until 
the end of that Grand Lodge session, and shall perform all 
the functions and the duties pertaining to their offices until the 
officers elected and appointed in conformity to this Constitu¬ 
tion shall have been duly installed at the close of the session. 


BENEVOLENT AND PROTECTIVE ORDER OF ELKS. 


13 


GRAND LODGE STATUTES. 


TITLE I. 

THE GRAND LODGE. 


CHAPTER 1. 

Elections. 

Section 1. The annual election shall be the special order 
of business immediately after the submission of the annual 
reports of the Grand Lodge officers, on the first day of the an¬ 
nual Grand Lodge session. The Grand Exalted Ruler shall 
appoint five impartial members as an election committee. 

Sec. 2. Nominations shall be made for all elective offi¬ 
ces to be filled in the order in which they appear in Article 
III., Section 2, of the Constitution, followed by nominations 
for the place of holding the next annual Grand Lodge Session. 
The Grand Lodge may limit nominating speeches. 

Sec. 3. It shall be the duty of the Grand Secretary to 
provide, and of the Grand Esquire to distribute to each mem¬ 
ber of the Grand Lodge, blanket ballots containing in regular 
order a list of the offices to be filled, and also the words, 
“place of next meeting,” with a blank space beneath each 
sufficient for the writing of a name. Each member of the 
Grand Lodge shall prepare his ballot by writing in the blank 
spaces the names of the brothers for whom, and the place for 
which he desires to vote. 

Sec. 4. The Committee on Credentials shall issue to each 
member entitled to vote an admission card with a voting 
coupon attached thereto. 

Sec. 5. The Election Committee shall have charge of 
the election under the direction of the Grand Exalted Ruler. 
It shall be furnished with a ballot box or boxes by the Grand 
Trustees, and shall make such arrangements for the conduct 
of the election and the method of casting the ballot as it may 
deem necessary. Each member shall deliver to the said Com¬ 
mittee his admission card and voting coupon, the latter shall 




H 


CONSTITUTION AND STATUTES 


be detached by the Committee, filed, and thereafter turned 
over to the Grand Secretary. The member, after so deliver¬ 
ing his voting coupon, shall hand to the member or members 
of the committee in charge of the ballot box, his ballot, for 
deposit. 

Sec. 6. The polls shall remain open until all present in 
the Grand Lodge Session and tendering their votes shall 
have voted. After the Grand Exalted Ruler shall have asked 
if all present have voted, a ad it appears that there are no 
others desiring to vote, he shall declare the ballot closed. 

Sec. 7. The Election Committee shall immediately pro¬ 
ceed to count the votes, and while this is being done the 
Grand Lodge may proceed with other business. As soon as 
the count has been completed, the Committee shall report to 
the Grand Exalted Ruler the result, and the same shall be by 
him announced to the Grand Lodge. The candidate for each 
office and the place for holding the next session of the Grand 
Lodge receiving the highest number of votes, and a majority 
of the votes cast, shall be elected. 

Sec. S. If at the time of nominations there should be but 
one name proposed for any office, the Grand Lodge may di¬ 
rect the Grand Secretary or other officer to cast the unanimous 
vote of the Grand Lodge for such candidate. 

Sec. 9. The installation of officers shall be the last or¬ 
der of business on the last day of the session. 

Sec. 10. Should any member give his voting coupon to 
another, or vote or attempt to vote upon the voting coupon of 
another, it shall be the duty of the Grand Exalted Ruler to 
cause charges to be preferred against such offending member 
in the Grand Lodge and in his Lodge, and upon conviction 
the penalty shall be expulsion from the Grand Lodge and the 
Order. 


CHAPTER 2. 

Charges Against Officers or Members of the Grand Lodge, 

Sec. 11. Any member of the Grand Lodge guilty of con¬ 
duct unbecoming an Elk or unbecoming a member of the 
Grand Lodge shall be liable to suspension or expulsion there¬ 
from. 

Sec. 12. Charges against a member of the Grand Lodge 
must be presented by a member, in writing, to the Grand 
Lodge while it is in session. The charges shall be read, and 
if the Grand Lodge deem the same sufficient to justify in¬ 
vestigation, they shall be referred to the Judiciary Commit- 


BENEVOLENT AND PROTECTIVE ORDER OF ELKS. 


15 


tee, which shall forthwith investigate the same and report 
its findings to the Grand Lodge at the same session unless the 
Grand Lodge, by resolution, continues the matter to the next 
session. If the Grand Lodge, by a two-thirds vote, finds the 
member guilty under such charges, it may suspend him for 
that session, or for a time definite or expel him from member¬ 
ship in the Grand Lodge. The accused shall have a right to 
be heard before the Committee and also in the Grand Lodge. 

Sec. 13. Any officer of the Grand Lodge may be im¬ 
peached for misfeasance, malfeasance or non-feasance in 
office, or for conduct unbecoming his office, or such as would 
tend to bring discredit upon the Order. Impeachment 
charges must be filed in writing and signed by the representa¬ 
tives of not less than five lodges. If the Grand Lodge deem 
the charges sufficient to justify investigation, they shall be 
referred to the Judiciary Committee; unless they are against 
the Grand Exalted Ruler, in which event they shall be re¬ 
ferred to a Special Committee of five to be named by tb^ 
Grand Lodge. The Committee shall forthwith investigate and 
report its findings to the Grand Lodge at the same session. 
If such officer is found guilty by a two-thirds vote, he may 
be removed from office, or both removed from office and 
forever disqualified from holding office in the Grand Lodge. 

CHAPTER 3. 

Powers and Duties of Officers. 

THE GRAND EXALTED RULER. 

Sec. 14. The Grand Exalted Ruler shall preside at all 
Grand Lodge sessions. 

Sec. 15. He shall on the first day of each Grand Lodge 
session nominate a Grand Justice for the term of five years to 
succeed the Justice whose term shall then expire. If the 
Grand Lodge shall confirm such nomination the nominee shall 
be appointed for such term, and shall be installed with the 
other officers. 

Sec. 16. He shall have supervision and discretionary au¬ 
thority over Subordinate Lodges while acting under dispensa¬ 
tion. 

Sec. 17. The program for Grand Lodge sessions and the 
arrangements for Grand Lodge reunions, including pageants, 
parades, exhibitions, entertainments and other attractions of 
a public character shall be under the control of the Grand 
Exalted Ruler. 


6 


CONSTITUTION AND STATUTES 


Provided, that any contracts involving the expenditure of 
Grand Lodge funds that may be made with respeet to any 
of said matters shall be entered into and executed by the 
Board of Grand Trustees, or a sub-committee thereof, as here¬ 
in authorized, acting in conjunction with the Grand Exalted 
Ruler. 

Provided further, that the Board of Grand Trustees is 
authorized to select from its members a committee of not 
more than two, which committee shall have the power and 
authority to carry out the provisions of this section, and for 
that purpose may, with the Grand Exalted Ruler, visit the 
city in which the Grand Lodge session is to be held for the 
purpose of making and entering into the necessary arrange¬ 
ments and contracts therefor. 

The Subordinate Lodge in the city wdiere said Grand 
Lodge session is held shall in all matters relating to said ses¬ 
sion and reunion be subject to the authority of the Grand 
Exalted Ruler. 

Sec. 18. The Grand Exalted Ruler shall designate the 
Chairman of Standing and Special Committees when the 
statute, resolution, or motion creating them does not other¬ 
wise provide. 

Sec. 19. He shall have the right, and it shall be his 
duty, to visit any Lodge whenever, in his judgment, such 
visit will promote the good of the Order. 

Sec. 20. All petitions, remonstrances, documentary files 
and official correspondence in the office of the Grand Exalted 
Ruler shall be a part of the records of the Order, and by him, 
delivered at the expiration of his term to his successor in 
office who shall retain the same for one year and then de¬ 
liver to the Grand Secretary to be preserved in the archives 
of the Order. 

Sec. 21. There shall be a seal for the Grand Exalted 
Ruler, which shall be a facsimile of the Grand Lodge seal, 
with the words “Affixed by the Grand Exalted Ruler” added 
thereon, and which shall be used by him to authenticate exec¬ 
utive orders, documents, temporary commissions and other 
papers not required to be attested by the Grand Secretary. 

Sec. 22. The Grand Exalted Ruler shall be provided by 
the Grand Trustees with suitable offices in the city where he 
resides, together with such assistance as may be necessary 
for the conduct of the business of the office. He shall be al¬ 
lowed all necessary expenses incident to his office, including 
traveling expenses in the interest of the Order. He shall be 


BENEVOLENT AND PROTECTIVE ORDER OF ELKS. 17 

authorized to employ a secretary who shall be an Elk, at a 
salary not to exceed two hundred and fifty dollars per month. 

Sec. 23. The Grand Exalted Ruler shall have power with 
the approval of the Board of Grand Trustees, in case of an 
emergency, to call a special session of the Grand Lodge; said 
call shall state the business to be considered, fix the place 
where and the time when the session shall be held, which time 
shall not be within thirty (30) days from the issuance of the 
call. No business other than that stated in the call shall be 
considered. 

Sec. 23a. The Grand Exalted Ruler shall prepare and pre¬ 
sent to each regular Grand Lodge Session, a complete printed 
report of the business and transactions of his office during the 
Grand Lodge year in which he served as such official. Said 
report shall contain such suggestions and recommendations 
relative to the laws or other matters or things of interest to 
the Order as the Grand Exalted Ruler may see fit to incor¬ 
porate therein. 

Sec. 24. In the event that any unforseen or unusual con¬ 
dition arises, such as pestilence, conflagration, storm, earth¬ 
quake or other condition usually classed as the Act of God, 
which renders it impracticable or inadvisable to hold the an¬ 
nual session of the Grand Lodge at the place designated by 
it, then the Grand Exalted Ruler may, with the advice and 
consent of the Board of Grand Trustees and the Chairman of 
the Judiciary Committee, change the time and place of the 
next annual session, and shall officially promulgate such fact 
to all Subordinate Lodges and the officers and committees 
of the Grand Lodge as soon as practicable after the condition 
arises requiring such change. 

Sec. 25. In all cases where power and authority to do an 
act is granted by the Constitution or Statutes, and such power 
is not vested elsewhere, the same is hereby vested in the 
Grand Exalted Ruler. 

Sec. 26. An executive order shall be final unless appealed 
from, and every member or Lodge affected thereby must obey 
the same unless reversed. An appeal may be taken from an 
Executive Order to the Grand Forum only on the question of 
the legal right or authority to make the same. An appeal 
may be taken to the Grand Lodge only upon the question as 
to whether the facts were sufficient to justify such order. 
After the Grand Lodge shall have decided an appeal upon 
the merits, an appeal upon the question of legal right or 
authority cannot be taken to, or considered by, the Grand 
Forum. 


18 CONSTITUTION AND STATUTES 

THE CHAIR OFFICERS. 

Sec. 27. The Grand Esteemed Leading Knight, the Grand 
Esteemed Loyal Knight, and the Grand Esteemed Lecturing 
Knight shall perform the duties pertaining to their offices re¬ 
spectively, and shall, together with the Grand Exalted Ruler, 
constitute a Standing Committee on Charity and Emergency, 
of which the Grand Exalted Ruler shall be the chairman. 

THE GRAND SECRETARY. 

Sec. 28. The Grand Secretary, before entering upon the 
duties of his office, shall execute to the Grand Lodge a guar¬ 
anty bond in the penal sum of Fifty Thousand ($50,000) Dol¬ 
lars, the surety to be approved by the chairman of the Board 
of Grand Trustees. The premium for such bond shall be paid 
by the Grand Lodge. 

He shall devote his entire time to the duties of his office, 
and shall deliver to his successor all the records, correspond¬ 
ence, property and other effects of his office. 

He shall receive for his services, an annual salary of Five 
Thousand ($5,000) Dollars, payable monthly. The Grand 
Lodge shall, from time to time, make allowance and appro¬ 
priation for his office expenses and assistants. 

Sec. 29. He shall keep a true record of the proceedings 
of the Grand Lodge, and sh*xl cause the same to be printed 
and distributed to all Subordinate Lodges and to the officers, 
committees and representatives of the Grand Lodge as soon 
as practicable after the adjournment of the session. Such 
record shall not contain addresses or debates, except when the 
Grand Lodge or the Grand Exalted Ruler may otherwise 
direct. 

He shall have charge of all the books, papers, documents 
and records of the Grand Lodge. 

He shall be the custodian of all title deeds and other 
evidences of title or liens, and all insurance policies. 

He shall prepare all dispensations and charters for Sub¬ 
ordinate Lodges, and keep in his office a complete registry of 
the same 

He shall keep a record of all dispensations and charters 
suspended or forfeited, together with a brief and accurate 
history of the reasons therefor He shall prepare all blanks 
for the Grand Lodge and Subordinate Lodges. When the 
form of necessary blanks is not prescribed by law. he shall 
devise forms therefor, subject to the approval of the Board 
of Grand Trustees. 


BENEVOLENT AND PROTECTIVE ORDER OF ELKS. 


19 


He shall keep an accurate record of all suspended and 
expelled members of the Grand Lodge, and Subordinate 
Lodges, except those stricken from the rolls for non-payment 
of dues, and shall, from time to time, furnish information of 
such facts to the Subordinate Lodges. 

He shall be the custodian of the seal of the Grand Lodge 
and shall sign, and attest with said seal, all official papers and 
documents. 

He shall receive and receipt for all moneys of the Grand 
Lodge, and pay the same over monthly to the Grand Treas¬ 
urer by check indorsed for deposit to the credit of the Grand 
Lodge in one of the banks selected by the Board of Grand 
Trustees. He shall also make a monthly report to the Board 
of Grand Trustees of all moneys so received and transmitted 
to the Grand Treasurer. He shall keep an accurate account of 
same are deposited. He shall keep an accurate account of 
the receipts and expenditures of the Grand Lodge, and so 
classify and arrange same that the condition of any fund can 
at any time be ascertained. He shall in like manner keep the 
accounts of each Subordinate Lodge with the Grand Lodge. 

He shall have prepared a printed, itemized report and 
present same to each regular session of the Grand Lodge, 
showing all the receipts and expenditures for the current 
Grand Lodge year. Such report shall contain only such sta¬ 
tistical information as may be essential for the guidance of 
the Grand Lodge in its work. 

Sec. 30. He shall, on or before March 10th of each year, 
furnish to the Secretary of each Subordinate Lodge, the blank 
forms for the annual reports. 

THE GRAND TREASURER. 

Sec. 31. The Grand Treasurer before entering upon the 
duties of his office shall give a guaranty bond in the penal 
sum of Five Thousand ($5,000) Dollars, to be approved by 
the Chairman of the Board of Grand Trustees. The premium 
for said bond shall be paid by the Grand Lodge. 

He shall receive for the proper performance of his duties 
the sum of Six Hundred ($600) Dollars per annum, payable 
monthly. 

The funds of the Grand Lodge coming into his hands 
shall forthwith be deposited by him to the credit of the Grand 
Lodge, in banks, trust companies, or other financial institu¬ 
tions of known solvency, to be designated in writing by the 
Board of Grand Trustees. 


20 


CONSTITUTION AND STATUTES 


Any increment to the funds, by way of interest, bonus, 
commission, percentage, gratuity, or otherwise, shall be added 
thereto. 

The current funds of the Grand Lodge collected from 
the Grand Secretary so deposited shall not be withdrawn, ex¬ 
cept by check, signed by the Grand Treasurer and counter¬ 
signed by the Grand Exalted Ruler. 

All claims against the Grand Lodge shall be filed with the 
Grand Secretary and, by him, certified and forwarded to the 
member of the Board of Grand Trustees designated as the 
approving member of the Board, who shall, if satisfied there¬ 
with, approve in writing and forward to the Grand Exalted 
Ruler, who shall, if satisfied therewith, approve in writing. 
Thereupon a check shall be drawn for the same. 

The Grand Treasurer shall so keep his accounts of re¬ 
ceipts and disbursements, as to disclose the condition of any 
fund at any time. 

He shall make a monthly report in writing to the Board 
of Grand Trustees showing the true condition of each fund 
to the credit of the Grand Lodge, and the banks in which 
same are deposited with such detail as may be required by 
said Board. 

He shall have prepared a printed report and present the 
same to the Grand Lodge at each regular session thereof, 
which report shall be confined to a statement of all moneys 
received, expended, and on hand. 

At or before each regular session of the Grand Lodge 
and at any other time when called upon, he shall present to 
the Committee on Auditing Accounts, all books, papers, 
checks, vouchers and other information he may possess, or 
that said committee may require, for the proper auditing of 
his accounts. 

At the expiration of his term of office, he shall promptly 
deliver to his successor, all the effects of his office. 

THE GRAND TILER. 

Sec. 32. The Grand Tiler shall maintain his position at 
the outer door of the building in which the sessions of the 
Grand Lodge are being held, and shall examine the admission 
cards of all Grand Lodge members, and the visiting cards of 
other members of the Order. He shall be the custodian of 
all regalia, jewels and other like property of the Grand Lodge 
during the sessions thereof. 


BENEVOLENT AND PROTECTIVE ORDER OF ELKS. 


21 


THE GRAND ESQUIRE 

Sec. 33. The Grand Esquire shall, when directed by the 
Grand Exalted Ruler, organize the Grand Lodge, by requir¬ 
ing each officer thereof to t take his proper station, and by 
excluding all persons therefrom, who are not qualified to re¬ 
main. He shall promptly execute all orders of the Grand 
Exalted Ruler and the Grand Lodge. 

He shall also be the Grand Marshal of all Elk parades 
given at the time of the Grand Lodge Sessions, or Reunions 
of the Order. 

THE GRAND INNER GUARD. 

Sec. 34. The Grand Inner Guard shall maintain his posi¬ 
tion at the inner door of the Grand Lodge, and allow none 
but those who are qualified, to enter, and shall further exe¬ 
cute the orders of the Grand Exalted Ruler and the Grand 
Lodge. 

THE GRAND CHAPLAIN. 

Sec. 35. The Grand Chaplain shall conduct the devotional 
exercises of the Grand Lodge, and perform such other duties 
as pertain to his office. 

THE BOARD OF GRAND TRUSTEES. 

Sec. 36. The Board of Grand Trustees shall have general 
supervisory authority over all funds and property belonging 
to the Grand Lodge. It shall be the custodian of the bonds 
given by the officers of the Grand Lodge, for the faithful per¬ 
formance of their duties. It shall purchase all supplies for 
the Order. For such supplies, where not impracticable, it 
shall request bids, and let contracts for the same to the best 
bidder. No member of said board shall have an interest, di¬ 
rectly or indirectly, in any such contract. No such contract 
shall be made for a longer period than three Grand Lodge 
years. Said Board shall furnish to the Grand Secretary all 
supplies that may be necessary for him to have, from which 
to honor requisitions from Subordinate Lodges which must 
receive and purchase the same at a price not exceeding fifteen 
percentum above the actual cost of the same, to which may be 
added postage, expressage or other transportation charges. 
A majority of the members of said Board shall constitute a 
quorum for the transaction of business. 

Sec. 37. The Board of Grand Trustees shall, on the first 
day of the Grand Lodge session, introduce a bill, to be known 
as the “Budget/’ making appropriations for the purposes 


22 CONSTITUTION AND STATUTES 

therein stated. After the first day, the Board of Grand Trus¬ 
tees shall call up said bill for passage. When such bill shall 
be enacted into law, it shall be the measure of expenditure 
of money for the purposes therein specified by the Grand 
Lodge. 

All appropriations unused shall revert to the Grand 
Lodge. 

Sec. 38. The Board of Grand Trustees shall meet as 
often as it may deem advisable, provided that there shall be 
at least two meetings of the Board in each Grand Lodge year, 
one of which shall be held at the Elks’ National Home. The 
Grand Exalted Ruler shall have the power to convene the 
Board at any time, for the consideration of such matters as 
he may lay before it. The Board of Grand Trustees shall 
annually organize by electing from its members, a chairman 
and a secretary. The chairman shall preside at all meetings 
of the board, and the secretary shall keep in writing, an ac¬ 
curate record of the proceedings of the Board, and deliver 
the same to his successor in office. It shall at each annual 
session of the Grand Lodge submit thereto a printed report. 

Sec. 39. It shall, at each annual session of the Grand 
Lodge, ascertain the railway and Pullman fare of all those 
entitled to receive their expenses for attending Grand Lodge 
sessions, except the Grand Exalted Ruler, and compute the 
number of days each is entitled to, by ascertaining the time 
required in traveling to and from the Grand Lodge accord¬ 
ing to the most convenient route, and adding thereto the 
number of days in attendance at Grand Lodge sessions and 
committee meetings thereat. 

CHAPTER 4. 

Committees. 

Sec. 40. There shall be the following standing commit¬ 
tees: 

A Committee on Judiciary, consisting of 5 members; 

A Committee on Auditing Accounts, consisting of 3 mem¬ 
bers; 

A Committee on Charters, consisting of 3 members; 

A Committee on Work and Ritual, consisting of 3 mem¬ 
bers; 

A Committee on Credentials, consisting of 5 members. 


BENEVOLENT AND PROTECTIVE ORDER OF ELKS. 


23 


COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY. 

Sec. 41. The Committee on Judiciary shall have referred 
to it and report upon, all proposed legislation and amend¬ 
ments to the Constitution or Statutes, and shall also recom¬ 
mend from time to time such legislation as it may deem ad¬ 
visable. 

The Chairman of the Judiciary Committee shall be the 
legal adviser of the Grand Exalted Ruler and other Grand 
Lodge officers, and shall represent them or the Grand Lodge 
in any matter when directed so to do by the Grand Exalted 
Ruler or the Board of Grand Trustees. He shall also pass 
upon the By-Laws and Club, or House Rules, of Subordinate 
Lodges. He shall be allowed all necessary expenses incident 
to the discharge of his duties, same to be approved by the 
Board of Grand Trustees. 

COMMITTEE ON AUDITING ACCOUNTS. 

Sec. 42. The Committee on Auditing Accounts shall care¬ 
fully examine and audit the books, accounts and papers of the 
Grand Secretary, the Grand Treasurer, and of all other offi¬ 
cers and committees who may receive or expend any funds 
of the Order, and, upon demand, said officers and committees 
shall deliver to said Committee all books and papers in their 
possession containing such accounts. 

It shall, by and with the consent of the Board of Grand 
Trustees, have authority to employ an expert accountant to 
examine the books, records, and accounts of any officer. 

It shall make a printed report to the Grand Lodge for 
that period of the fiscal year up to, and including May 31st, 
and a supplemental written report to said Grand Lodge from 
May 31st to the time of meeting of the Grand l odge. Such 
report shall be confined to a simole statement of the condi¬ 
tion of the various amounts and officers examined by said Aud¬ 
iting Committee. It shall also receive and audit returns and 
reports from the Subordinate Lodges, comparing the same 
with the report of the Grand Secretary, and shall prepare and 
present to the Committee on Credentials, at least tw^o days 
before the time of the meeting of the Grand Lodge, an accu¬ 
rate list of the delinquent Lodges whose members are dis¬ 
qualified from participating in said Grand Lodge Session. 

COMMITTEE ON CHARTERS. 

Sec. 43. The Committee on Charters shall examine into 
the condition of all lodges acting under dispensation, with a 


24 


CONSTITUTION AND STATUTES 


view of determining whether they have complied with the 
laws of the Order, and are worthy to receive charters. It 
shall also consider all matters pertaining to charters of 
Lodges referred to it by the Grand Lodge. 

COMMITTEE ON WORK AND RITUAL. 

Sec. 44. The Committee on Work and Ritual shall con¬ 
sider and prepare changes in the work or ritual when re¬ 
quested to do so by the Grand Lodge, and shall from time to 
time make such suggestions to the Grand Lodge as it may 
deem proper. 

COMMITTEE ON CREDENTIALS. 

Sec. 45. The Committee on Credentials shall examine 
and report upon the credentials of the members of the Grand 
Lodge. It shall meet at least two (2) days before the open¬ 
ing of the Grand Lodge sessions and be ready to report upon 
the convening thereof. All questions relative to the right of 
members of the Grand Lodge to sit in Grand Lodge sessions 
shall be referred to said Committee. It shall examine same 
and report its findings to the Grand Lodge. 

CHAPTER 5. 

District Deputy Grand Exalted Rulers. 

Sec. 46. Within sixty days after the Grand Lodge ses¬ 
sion of 1907, the Board of Grand Trustees shall divide the 
United States and its insular and other possessions into as 
many districts as in their judgment the best interests of the 
Order may require, and designate by name and number the 
Lodges to be embraced in such districts, respectively: Pro¬ 
vided, that they may combine two or more states or terri¬ 
tories into one district, and shall further have the right to at¬ 
tach together Lodges in different states or in a state or ter¬ 
ritory, or in different territories, in one district, and for this 
purpose, the insular possessions of the United States shall be 
deemed territories. 

Sec. 47. A District Deputy Grand Exalted Ruler shall be 
appointed in each of the said districts and shall be the repre 
sentative of the Grand Exalted Ruler therein, and shall be 
recognized as such by the Subordinate Lodges. 

It shall be his duty to visit each Subordinate Lodge when 
in session, at least once in each Grand Lodge year, and to see 
that the work of the Order is performed uniformly in all said 
Lodges. 


BENEVOLENT AND PROTECTIVE ORDER OF ELKS. 25 

I 

It shall be his duty to install, or cause to be installed, the 
officers of said Lodges. He shall have the right to examine 
all the records of such Lodges and see to it that they are 
properly kept. It shall be his duty to report to the Grand 
Exalted Ruler the conditions generally of each Lodge in his 
district. 

He shall receive from the Grand Exalted Ruler dispensa¬ 
tions for the institution of new Lodges in his district, insti¬ 
tute the same, install the officers thereof, and deliver to them 
the dispensations, and cause to be delivered to such Lodges, 
the rituals, books, blanks, and other property necessary and 
proper for a new Lodge. He shall perform all other services 
that may be enjoined upon him by the Grand Exalted Ruler, 
or the statutes of the Order. 

A District Deputy shall be reimbursed by the Grand 
Lodge for all actual necessary personal expenses incurred in 
instituting a new Lodge and in making official visits to Sub¬ 
ordinate Lodges within his jurisdiction, upon the presenta¬ 
tion of an itemized account of the same, which shall be aud¬ 
ited and paid, as other claims against Grand Lodge. He 
shall also be reimbursed for his necessary expenses for at¬ 
tending sessions of the Grand Lodge. 

Expenses for official visits shall be collected by the 
Grand Secretary from the Subordinate Lodges visited. 

CHAPTER 6. 

Revenues of the Grand Lodge. 

Sec. 48 . The revenues of the Grand Lodge shall be as 
follows: 

(1) —A per capita tax of not exceeding twenty-five cents 
on each Elk on the roll of membership of each Subordinate 
Lodge 

(2) —Sales of supplies. 

(3) —Revenues on account of Elks’ National Home. 

(4) —Interest on deposits and investments. 

( 5 ) —A fee for dispensation for each new Lodge. 

(6) —A fee for a charter for each new Lodge. 

(7) —A fee of $5.00 for Rituals. 

(8) —Fees for Grand Lodge cards. 

(9) —Such other fee, fine, or penalty as may be imposed 
or levied by statute. 

(10) —Donations or gifts to the Grand Lodge. 


26 


CONSTITUTION, AND STATUTES 


Sec. 49. All Grand Lodge revenues shall be payable to 
the Grand Secretary, and shall be for the use and benefit of 
the Grand Lodge. 


CHAPTER 7. 

Funds. 

Sec. 50. The funds of the Grand Lodge shall be classi¬ 
fied as: 

a. General Fund; 

b. Reserve Fund; 

c. Emergency Charity Fund. 

Sec. 51. The general fund shall include all the funds of 
the Grand Lodge except the Reserve Fund and Emergency 
Charity Fund as hereinafter defined. 

Sec. 52. The Grand Lodge may, from time to time, 
withdraw any surplus of the General Fund and transfer the 
same to a fund to be known as the Reserve Fund. The Re¬ 
serve Fund shall be deposited in banks to the credit of the 
Grand Lodge to be designated by the Board of Grand Trus¬ 
tees, except as they may be invested in securities approved by 
a commission consisting of the Grand Treasurer, the Grand 
Exalted Ruler and the five members of the Board of Trustees, 
and may be withdrawn by check, signed by the Grand Treas¬ 
urer, countersigned by the Grand Exalted Ruler and three 
members of the Board of Grand Trustees. The Grand 
Lodge may, by resolution, return the whole or any part of 
the Reserve Fund to the General Fund. 

Sec. 53. A fund is hereby created which shall be known 
as the “Emergency Charity Fund.” Into this fund shall be 
paid all unexpended balances raised by or contributed to the 
Grand Lodge for charitable purposes, and all unexpended 
balances belonging to the Grand Lodge now in the hands of 
any Subordinate Lodge or committee thereof or any officer 
of the Order, and all funds hereafter raised by or contrib¬ 
uted to the Grand Lodge for charitable purposes. Such fund 
shall be under the control of the Standing Committee on 
Charity and Emergency and the Board of Grand Trustees, 
and donations therefrom shall be paid only on the written 
order of the Grand Exalted Ruler and the approval in writing 
of the Board of Grand Trustees. 

Sec. 53a. The Board of Grand Trustees are hereby author¬ 
ized and directed to set aside and provide for the use of the 


BENEVOLENT AND PROTECTIVE ORDER OF ELKS. 27 

Grand Exalted Ruler a contingent fund of One Thousand Dol¬ 
lars. and for the use of the Grand Secretary a contingent fund 
of Two Thousand Dollars, and for the use of the Board of 
Grand Trustees in the operation and maintenance of the 
Elks’ National Home the sum of Two Thousand Dollars. 

CHAPTER 8. 

General Provisions. 

Sec. 54. Every committee of the Grand Lodge shall 
have authority and power to call for such papers and other 
articles as it may deem necessary in connection with the sub¬ 
ject under consideration. 

Sec. 55. The committees of the Grand Lodge shall meet 
at least two days prior to the opening of the Grand Lodge. 
They shall hold such meetings during the recess as the Grand 
Exalted Ruler may direct. 

Sec. 56. The officers (except the Grand Exalted Ruler). 
Past Grand Exalted Rulers, and the committees of the Grand 
Lodge, when in attendance upon its sessions or committee 
meetings, shall be paid as their personal expenses their rail¬ 
road fare, including Pullman service and $10.00 per diem. 

Sec. 57. The chairmen of committees shall be reim¬ 
bursed for all money expended for postage, telegrams, and 
stenographic work in connection with the duties of their 
positions. 


CHAPTER 9. 

Elks’ National Home. 

(a) SUPERVISION. 

Sec. 58. The Board of Grand Trustees shall have super¬ 
vision and control of the Elks’ National Home and shall have 
power to engage a resident Superintendent and other neces¬ 
sary employees and fix their compensation; and, with the ap¬ 
proval of the Grand Exalted Ruler and the Chairman of the 
Committee on Judiciary, shall adopt rules and regulations for 
its management, which shall be issued in pamphlet form. 
The Board shall have no authority to waive any constitu¬ 
tional or statutory provision relative to the Home. It shall 
delegate three of its members to exercise immediate super¬ 
vision thereof, who shall visit the Home at least once every 
ninety days. 


28 


CONSTITUTION AND STATUTES 


(b) NATURE OF HOME, MODE OF ADMISSION AND 
DUTY OF LODGES IN REGARD TO RESIDENTS. 

Sec. 59. The home shall be maintained as such for aged 
and indigent Elks, and shall not be converted into an infirm¬ 
ary or hospital, except as the temporary illness of the resi¬ 
dents may require. 

Sec. 60. Any Elk in good standing in a Subordinate 
Lodge may, at a rate to be fixed by the Board of Grand 
Trustees, ayail himself of the privileges of the Home as a 
visitor, not to exceed five days in any one month, and only 
when accommodations therefor are available. The comfort 
and convenience of the regular residents shall always take 
precedence. All moneys derived from this source shall be 
remitted monthly to the Grand Secretary and by him cred¬ 
ited to the General Fund. 

Sec. 61 An applicant for admission to the Home must 
have been in good standing in the Order for a period of five 
consecutive years immediately prior to the filing of his appli¬ 
cation; must have attained the age of fifty years and be in 
indigent circumstances and incapable of earning a livelihood. 

Provided, that in exceptional cases, and within the sound 
discretion of the Board of Grand Trustees, the age limit 
herein fixed may be disregarded. 

Sec. 62. Applications for admission to the Home must 
be made in writing, on blanks furnished by the Grand Secre¬ 
tary, and signed by the applicant. The application shall state 
the age of the applicant, his physical condition and the num¬ 
ber of continuous years he has been in good standing in the 
Order, and in his Lodge. All applications must be approved 
by the Subordinate Lodge of which the applicant is a mem¬ 
ber, at a regular meeting; and such approval shall be attested, 
on the application, by the Exalted Ruler and Secretary. The 
application thus indorsed shall be forwarded to the Secre¬ 
tary of the Board of Grand Trustees. Any Lodge misrep 
resenting any facts in connection with an applicant or appli¬ 
cation, shall be deemed guilty of an offense against the Order, 
and upon trial and conviction shall be punished by reprimand 
or forfeiture of charter. Any applicant making misrepresen¬ 
tation shall be deemed guilty of offense, and shall forfeit his 
right of admission to, or residence in the Home, and shall 
also be subject to charges and trial in his Lodge. (For form 
of application see appendix.) 

Sec. 63. The application shall be accompanied by a cer¬ 
tificate obtained by the Subordinate Lodge from a reputable 


BENEVOLENT AND PROTECTIVE ORDER OF ELKS. 29 

physician, showing the physical condition of the applicant; 
shall have been convicted of any crime, other than a misde- 
and no one suffering from an miectious or contagious disease 
shall be eligible for admission. 

Sec. 64. The Board of Grand Trustees shall pass on all 
applications. It may cause a supplementary physical exam¬ 
ination to be made. 

Sec. 65. The Subordinate Lodge shall pay for the trans¬ 
portation and all other necessary expenses, going to or re¬ 
turning from the Home. Should a brother die while a resi¬ 
dent of the Home, the Subordinate Lodge shall defray all 
funeral expenses. 


TITLE II. 

THE JUDICIARY. 

CHAPTER 1. 

The Grand Forum. 

Sec. 66. The Justice whose term next expires shall be 
the Chief Justice. 

Sec. 67. The Grand Secretary shall preserve the files 
and records of the Grand Forum and have the custody of its 
seal. 

Sec. 68. The seal of the Grand Forum shall be a 
facsimile of the seal of the Grand Lodge, with the words 
added thereon “affixed by order of the Grand Forum.” It 
shall be used to attest all orders and decrees of the Grand 
Forum. 

A digest of the decisions of the Grand Forum shall be an¬ 
nually published and distributed at the Grand Lodge sessions. 

Sec. 69. Actions and other proceedings, of which the 
Grand Forum shall have original jurisdiction, shall be com¬ 
menced by filing with the Grand Secretary a petition, with 
two copies thereof, stating concisely the facts upon which 
relief is sought; and the Grand Secretary shall forthwith 
send the original to the Chief Justice and one copy to the 
Chairman of the Committee on Judiciary and one to the 
adverse party. The Chief Justice shall then fix a time, which 
shall be reasonable, for hearing said petition, and cause no¬ 
tice thereof to be given to the adverse party by the Grand 
Secretary. 

In forming the issue to be determined the adverse party 




30 


CONSTITUTION AND STATUTES 


may move to strike out parts of said petition, to make the 
same more specific, demur thereto, or answer the same. 

Sec. 70. The person filing any petition, motion, de¬ 
murrer or answer shall file same in triplicate. The orig¬ 
inal shall be for the use of the Grand Forum, one copy for 
the adverse party to be served by the Grand Secretary, and the 
other copy for the Chairman of the Committee on Judiciary. 

Sec. 71. With each petition or appeal, the postoffice ad¬ 
dress of all parties to the cause shall be given. 

Sec. 72. The Grand Forum shall determine the method 
and manner and time of taking proof, if any is necessary, and 
the method and manner and time of argument of the cause. 
Testimony may be by affidavit, deposition, or oral. Argu¬ 
ments shall be by brief, unless for cause the Grand Forum 
allows oral arguments. 

Sec. 73. A refusal or failure to obey a final order or de¬ 
cree of the Grand Forum shall be an act of contumacy. 

, CHAPTER 2. 

Judicial Assemblies. 

Sec. 74. Each Subordinate Lodge in session as a judicial 
assembly shall have original jurisdiction over all members 
appearing upon its rolls, affiliated or unaffiliated, and shall 
try such members whenever charges are presented by any 
member of the Order in good standing. 

Sec. 75. All charges against a member must be in writ¬ 
ing, made upon his honor as an Elk, and subscribed by the 
member or officer preferring the same, and may be on infor¬ 
mation and belief. They shall contain a full statement of 
the facts upon which they are founded, stating time and place 
with reasonable certainty. 

Sec. 76. The charges shall be filed with the Secretary of 
the Subordinate Lodge of which the accused is a member, and 
shall be read in full by the Secretary, under the order of 
business—Judicial Assembly—at the next regular meeting of 
the Lodge thereafter, and all further proceedings thereon 
shall be had by the Lodge sitting as the Judicial Assembly. 

Sec. 77 . Immediately after such reading of the charges, 
the Exalted Ruler shall name a day and hour, not less than 
twenty nor more than forty days, from that date (except that 
in Manila and other island possessions of the United States, 
the maximum time shall be ninety days), on which the mem¬ 
ber charged shall appear and make answer, and shall direct 


BENEVOLENT AND PROTECTIVE ORDER OF ELKS. 


3* 


the Secretary to serve notice thereof, within three days 
thereafter, in a sealed envelope, by registered mail, addressed 
to the accused at his address as last given by him to the Sec¬ 
retary of the Lodge. 

Sec. 78. Said notice shall be in the following form: 

“Bro.. 

“Charges have been preferred against you as a mem¬ 
ber of Lodge Number., B. P. O. Elks, to which 

you shall appear and make written answer at the Lodge 

room of said Lodge on the. day of.. 

190.., at.o’clock .... M. 

“A copy of said charges will be handed to you or 
mailed to you upon your written request to the Secretary 
of the Lodge. 

“Hereof fail not under penalty of the law. 

“Witness my hand and the seal of said Lodge, at 

.this.day of., 190.. 

“(Signed) . 

“Secretary, Lodge No.R P. O. E.” 

Sec. 79. Within the time fixed the accused shall file with 
the Secretary his answer or other plea. The Exalted Ruler, 
in his discretion, may extend the time for answer for not 
more than ten days. Such order shall be indorsed upon the 
charges. Immediately upon issue being joined the Exalted 
Ruler shall name seven impartial members of said Lodge, 
who shall constitute a Committee to try such charges. The 
names of such Committee shall be communicated to the Es¬ 
teemed Loyal Knight and to the accused. Each side shall 
have the right to exercise two peremptory challenges. Upon 
the exercise of such challenges the vacancies shall be filled 
by the Exalted Ruler. 

Sec. 80. Thereupon the Exalted Ruler shall fix an hour 
and day not more than ten days thereafter, when the trial of 
the accused shall be had, and shall cause the Secretary to 
notify the committee and accused thereof. 

Sec. 81. If any members of the committee shall be un¬ 
avoidably absent, or for any reason shall be disqualified in 
the judgment of the Exalted Ruler, he may appoint impartial 
members in their stead. 

Sec. 82. The Committee shall select one of its members 
as Chairman, the Secretary shall keep a record of the pro¬ 
ceedings, the Loyal Knight shall prosecute the charges. The 
accused shall have the right to select a brother in good stand- 












32 


CONSTITUTION AND STATUTES 


ing to appear for him and shall have a right to examine and 
cross-examine witnesses. Elks shall testify upon their honor 
as such. Other witnesses shall be sworn, if willing; if not, 
their voluntary statement shall be received, and so noted. 
Testimony may be oral or by deposition. Either side may 
have in attendance a stenographer, who is an Elk. Witnesses 
not Elks shall attend only while testifying. Any Elk shall 
have the right to attend said trial. 

Sec. 83. The committee shall report its findings as to 
the guilt or innocence of the accused, together with such 
recommendation as to the penalty to be imposed, if any, as 
it may deem proper. Such report shall be in writing, signed 
by a majority of the committee. 

It shall be filed with the Secretary of the Lodge and read 
to and considered by the Lodge as soon as may be at a reg¬ 
ular meeting and under the order of business styled “Judicial 
Assembly.” A copy of the report shall be furnished by the 
Secretary to the accused or his representative at least two 
days before the same shall stand for hearing by the Judicial 
Assembly. 

Time shall be allowed for the discussion of the report.- 
The Esteemed Loyal Knight shall be entitled to the close. 
The accused shall be entitled to be present at all times and to 
remain until the vote on the charges is to be taken, when he 
shall retire. The question shall then be put, “Is the accused 
guilty or not guilty?” Voting must be secret. Those voting 
guilty shall cast a black ball, and those voting not guilty a 
white ball. 

Sec. 84. A two-thirds vote of those present shall be re¬ 
quired to convict. 

Sec. 85. When a specific penalty for the offense is pro¬ 
vided for by statute, such penalty shall be imposed. In all other 
cases, if the accused is found guilty, secret ballots upon the 
penalty to be imposed shall be immediately taken in the fol¬ 
lowing order. 

1st. Shall the accused be expelled? 

If less than two-thirds vote in the affirmative, then 

2nd. Shall he be suspended? 

If less than two-thirds vote in the affiramtive, then he 
shall be reprimanded in open lodge. If two-thirds vote in 
the affirmative, then the duration of such suspension shall be 
determined by ordinary parliamentary proceedings. 

Sec. 86. If it shall be known to any member of the Or¬ 
der, that another member of the Order or unaffiliated Elk, 


BENEVOLENT AND PROTECTIVE ORDER OF ELKS. 


33 


meanor, in any court of law of the United States, or any of 
the states, or in any foreign country, and shall have been 
sentenced therefor, it shall be the duty of the member thus 
informed, to report the same to the Lodge of the member 
convicted. 

Thereupon the Secretary of the Lodge shall obtain a 
transcript, duly certified, of such judgment or sentence, and 
upon its receipt shall read the same or a certified translation 
thereof, at the next regular meeting of the Lodge, and the 
same shall stand as charges preferred, and thereupon the 
Exalted Ruler shall direct a trial of the accused in the man¬ 
ner hereinbefore provided, unless an appeal from such con¬ 
viction and sentence be pending. 

CHAPTER 3. 

Appeals. 

Sec. 87. A member convicted on any charge, may ap¬ 
peal therefrom to the Grand Forum by filing with the Secre¬ 
tary of his Lodge, and by mailing to the Grand Secretary, 
within thirty days after final action by his Lodge, a notice 
of appeal and an assignment of the errors alleged to have 
been committed. 

Sec. 88. Upon receiving such notice of appeal the Sec¬ 
retary of the Lodge shall transmit to the Grand Secretary 
a certified copy of the charges, the report of the trial com¬ 
mittee and the proceedings of the Judicial Assembly, consti¬ 
tuting the history of the case, including such part or all of 
the evidence or an abstract thereof certified by the trial com¬ 
mittee as may be necessary to show the errors complained of. 

Sec. 89. Within sixty days after filing such notice of 
appeal, the appellant shall file with the Grand Secretary his 
argument, which shall contain a concise statement of the 
case. A copy thereof shall, within the same time, be served 
upon the Esteemed Loyal Knight of the Subordinate Lodge. 

Sec. 90. Within thirty days after the Esteemed Loyal 
Knight shall have received such argument, he shall file with 
the Grand Secretary, and serve upon the accused or his des¬ 
ignated representative, a reply. 

Sec. 91. The Grand Secretary shall then transmit the 
complete record and files to the Chief Justice of the Grand 
Forum. At any time before final determination the Grand 
Forum may, upon motion of either party or upon its own 


34 


CONSTITUTION AND STATUTES 


motion, require the Secretary of the Lodge to certify ad¬ 
ditional parts of the record. 

Sec. 92. Within three months after the acquittal of a 
member by the Judicial Assembly of his Subordinate Lodge, 
the Grand Exalted Ruler may, if he deems it for the good 
of the Order, cause an appeal to be filed from such judgment 
to the Grand Forum. A notice of appeal in such cases shall 
be served by the Grand Exalted Ruler upon the Lodge and 
the member acquitted and also upon the Grand Secretary by 
mail, and thereupon the Secretary of the Lodge shall certify 
a copy of the charges to the Grand Secretary, who shall trans¬ 
mit the same to the Chief Justice of the Grand Forum, and 
thereupon the said case shall stand for trial upon its merits 

Sec. 93. When the Secretary of the Subordinate Lodge 
shall receive such copy of the notice of appeal, he shall serve 
notice thereof upon the accused or his designated represen¬ 
tative. 


TITLE III. 

SUBORDINATE LODGES 

CHAPTER 1. 

Dispensations and Charters. 

Sec. 94. The Grand Exalted Ruler may grant a dispen¬ 
sation for a new Lodge upon an application therefor signed 
by at least three Elks in good standing and a petition there¬ 
for, signed by at least twenty-five persons who are either Elks 
in good standing or who shall have been for the two years 
last past residents of the jurisdiction of the proposed new 
Lodge and otherwise eligible to membership in the Order; 
provided, that before a dispensation is granted the Grand 
Exalted Ruler shall furnish a copy of the said petition to the 
Lodge which is located nearest geographically, within the 
state, to the city for which dispensation is asked, and the said 
Lodge may within thirty days after receiving the same, file 
with the Grand Exalted Ruler a formal protest against the 
initiation of any person or persons whose names appear on 
such list, which protest shall be a bar to the initiation of 
such person or persons, unless the Grand Exalted Ruler shall 
overrule the said protest. 

[The forms of application and petition for dispensation 
will be found in the appendix.] 




BENEVOLENT AND PROTECTIVE ORDER OF ELKS. 


35 


Sec. 95. The dispensation shall contain at least three 
and as many more of the names of the brothers making appli¬ 
cation, together with the names of the Lodges of which they 
are members, as the blank spaces on the form shall permit, 
and said names shall be inserted in the order of the signa¬ 
tures to the original application. (The form thereof will 
be found in the appendix.) The dispensation shall expire at 
the next regular session of the Grand Lodge, unless the Grand 
Lodge shall then continue the same. 

Sec. 96. When a Lodge is to be instituted, it shall be the 
duty of the Grand Secretary to furnish to the proper District 
Deputy all the supplies, books, blanks, rituals, regalia, etc., 
necessary for the proper organization of the Lodge, the trans¬ 
action of its business, and the performance of the work pre¬ 
scribed by the ritual, and these supplies shall be paid for by 
the Lodge at the price fixed by the Grand Trustees. 

Sec. 9?. Each Lodge under dispensation, shall, at the 
first annual session of the Grand Lodge after the institution 
of such Lodge, make application in writing, indorsed by the 
District Deputy, for a charter, and shall furnish such informa¬ 
tion as may be required by the Grand Lodge or Committee 
on Charters. (The form therefor and the form of charter 
will be found in the appendix.) 

Sec. 97a. The fee to be paid to the Grand Lodge for a 
Dispensation shall be Fifty Dollars, and for a Charter the fee 
shall be Fifty Dollars; said fees to be paid before such Dis¬ 
pensation or Charter, as the case may be, shall be issued. Pro¬ 
vided that in such cases where a Dispensation has been grant¬ 
ed and the Dispensation fee has been paid, but the Lodge for 
which such Dispensation issued is not organized, all portions 
of such fee shall be returned to those who applied for the Dis¬ 
pensation except a sufficient sum to reimburse the Grand 
Lodge for any and all expenses that may have been incurred 
by reason of the granting of said Dispensation. 

Sec. 97b. Whenever two Lodges, the municipal and juris¬ 
dictional lines of which are contiguous, desire, for reasons 
which may be good and sufficient to the Grand Exalted Ruler, 
to consolidate, such consolidation may be permitted by an 
order from the Grand Exalted Ruler upon the presentation 
of petitions signed by at least two-thirds of the members of 
each Lodge, and accompanied by the certificate of each Lodge 
that after the presentation of said petitions in the respective 
Lodges thirty days notice of action upon the same had been 
given to each member of each Lodge, and that the resolution 


36 


CONSTITUTION AND STATUTES 


of consolidation received the votes of two-thirds of all mem¬ 
bers present at the session at which action on the same was 
taken. 

Upon the receipt of the endorsement by the Grand Ex¬ 
alted Ruler of the resolution of consolidation, the Committee 
on Charters of the Grand Lodge shall review the proceedings, 
and if same are approved by said Committee the Grand Ex¬ 
alted Ruler shall take up the Charter and Ritual of the Lodge 
desiring to surrender same, and the property of the Lodge 
surrendering its Charter shall become the property of the 
Lodge retaining its Charter. 

All of the members of the Lodge surrendering its Char¬ 
ter, who may be in good standing at said time, shall be re¬ 
ceived by the Lodge with which consolidation is made, and 
from the date of such consolidation they shall pay such an¬ 
nual dues as may be provided for in the By-Laws of the 
Lodge whose Charter has been retained. 

Such members of the Lodge surrendering its Charter 
whose names may be upon the roll of such Lodge but who 
may not at the time of said consolidation be in good standing 
therein, may be restored to good standing in. the Lodge con¬ 
solidated -sVith in the same manner as if such consolidation 
had not been made. 


CHAPTER a. 

Organization and Procedure. 

Sec. 98. The lodge year of a Subordinate Ledge under 
dispensation or charter shall end with the last day of March 
of each year. 

Sec. 96. The presence ef at least three Elks in good 
standing, shall be necessary to institute a Lodge under dis¬ 
pensation, and one of this number shall be in possession of 
the dispensation. 

Sec. 100. Lodges under dispensation shall upon their in¬ 
stitution elect officers to hold office during the current Lodge 
year. 

Sec. 101. The charter members of a Lodge are the per¬ 
sons whose names appear upon the petition for a dispensa¬ 
tion and who are present at the institution of the Lodge as 
Elks or are initiated at such institution. 

Sec. 102. Nine Elks, of whom at least two shall be elec¬ 
tive officers, must be present to constitute a legal quorum to 
transact business. The officers shall rank in the order named 


BENEVOLENT AND PROTECTIVE ORDER OF ELKS. 


m the constitution, and, in the absence of the Exalted Ruler 
the officer next in rank shall organize the Lodge, and desig¬ 
nate the brothers who shall fill the vacancies during the ses- 
sion or until the absent officers appear, when the latter shall 
take their official places in the Lodge. 

Sec. 103. The order of business shall be as follows i 
Opening. 

Calling Roll of Officers. 

Reading Minutes of Previous Session. 

Sickness and Distress (always in order). 

Reports of Committees on Applications. 

Balloting for Candidates. 

Bills against the Lodge. 

Propositions for Membership. 

Treasurer’s Report. 

Reports of Committees (by seniority). 

Reading Communications. 

Unfinished business. 

Judicial Assembly. 

New Business. 

Initiation. 

Good of the Order. 


1 . 

2 . 

3 

4. 

5. 

6 . 
7 
8 . 
9. 

10 . 

11 . 

12 . 

13. 

14. 

15. 

16. 


17. Receipts of Session. 

18. Closing. 

Sec. 104. Questions arising on points of order in Lodges, 
shall, in the first instance, be decided by the Exalted Ruler. 
Any member seconded by another, shall have a right of ap¬ 
peal to the Lodge, a two-third vote being required to over¬ 
rule the decision of the Exalted Ruler. 

Sec. 105. Every Lodge shall have a seal, and shall keep 
the following books, which shall be in the care and custody 
of the Secretary, who shall be responsible therefor: 

A Visitors’ Register. 

A Book of By-Laws, with the signatures of its members 

A Book of the Minutes or Proceedings of the Lodge. 

A Register containing the name of each member, his 
birthplace, occupation, residence, the date of his initiation or 
affiliation, and also the date of the termination or suspension 
of his membership, with the cause thereof, as the same may 


occur. 


38 


CONSTITUTION AND STATUTES 


An alphabetical list of expulsions, suspensions, and re¬ 
jections. 

Such books as may be necessary to present clearly the 
receipts and accounts of the Secretary and Treasurer, and 
general financial and other transactions of the Lodge. 

It shall also be the duty of the Lodge to keep for ex¬ 
amination, the Constitution and Statutes of the Grand Lodge, 
which must be furnished by'the Grand Secretary. 

The seal of the Lodge shall be impressed upon receipts 
for dues, upon official documents, and upon all papers issued 
by and under the authority of the Lodge. 

106. Lodges shall meet weekly or semi-monthly except 
in the Months of June, July, August and September, when 
sessions must be held at least once a month. For good rea¬ 
sons, any Lodge may omit a regular session upon a dispensa¬ 
tion from the Grand Exalted Ruler or his District Deputy. 
Special sessions may be called by the Exalted Ruler, by giv¬ 
ing two days’ notice thereof to the members of the Lodge. 
Such notice shall state the special business to be considered, 
and no other business shall be considered or transacted 
thereat. 

Sec. 107. The officers of the Lodge shall be those named 
in the Constitution, and no Lodge shall create any additional 
office. The Exalted Ruler, Esteemed Leading Knight, Es¬ 
teemed Loyal Knight, Esteemed Lecturing Knight, Secre¬ 
tary, Treasurer and Tiler shall be elected annually; all other 
officers, except trustees, shall be appointed annually by the 
Exalted Ruler. Officers shall have such powers as are pro¬ 
vided in the Constitution, Statutes and Ritual, and shall per¬ 
form such other duties as pertain to their positions, and shall 
hold their respective offices until their successors have been 
duly elected or appointed, and installed. 

One Trustee shall be elected annually for the term of 
three years, except that in states where the law requires cor¬ 
porate bodies to elect five trustees, one trustee shall be elected 
annually for a term of five years. Provided, however, that 
at the first election in any Lodge, three trustees shall be 
elected, one for one year, one for two years, and one for three 
years, except in states requiring five trustees, where there 
shall also be elected one for four years' and one for five years. 

Sec. 108. The annual election shall be held in each Lodge 
at the last regular session in March, or, in case of a new 
Lodge, after it has been instituted. Immediately after such 


BENEVOLENT AND PROTECTIVE ORDER OF ELKS. 


39 


election, the Secretary of such Lodge shall furnish promptly 
to the Grand Secretary the names and addresses of all officers 
elected, and the location of the Lodge rooms. 

Sec. 109. Elections in Lodges shall be conducted in the 
manner following: • 

The Exalted Ruler shall preside, unless the Grand Ex¬ 
alted Ruler or District Deputy shall be present. 

A Lodge may provide in its By-Laws, or, at a session 
previous to the session at which the election must be held,, in 
which latter case notice thereof must be sent to all members, 
for convening the Lodge at an earlier hour than the regular 
meeting hour, and may provide for the balloting for officers 
to be a special order of business, and ballot to remain open 
during certain hours; provided, that while balloting is pro¬ 
gressing the Lodge must be in formal session, with officers 
in their proper places; and provided, further, that the ballot 
cannot be closed until all members present in the Lodge room 
have had an opportunity to vote. 

The election shall be by written or printed ballot, and the 
candidate receiving the highest number of votes cast shall 
be declared elected; provided, that in case there shall be but 
one candidate for any office, the Lodge may direct an officer 
to cast the vote of the Lodge for such candidate. 

No member in arrears for dues shall be entitled to vote 
at such election. 

Sec. 110. The officers shall be installed at the first reg¬ 
ular session in April, and should the Grand Exalted Ruler or 
the District Deputy fail to be present, or name some one to 
act for him, the Lodge may designate any past or the retiring 
Exalted Ruler, to install the officers. 

Sec. 111. It shall be the duty of all officers to memorize 
such portions of the ritual as are assigned to their respective 
offices, within thirty days after their installation, and failure 
to do so shall work a forfeiture of thie office, which shall be 
declared by a majority vote. 

Each Subordinate Lodge shall be entitled to two copies 
of Part I of the Ritual. 

Sec. 112. A Lodge shall have power upon five days’ no¬ 
tice by mail, by a two-thirds vote, to vacate the position of 
any elective officer who shall have been absent from duty 
during two consecutive months of his term, without good 
cause, and such vacancy shall be filled as other vacancies. 
The Lodge may likewise impeach and remove from office, by 


40 


CONSTITUTION AND STATUTES 


a two-thirds vote, any officer for immoral conduct, or for 
any abuse in office, or dishonorable practice of any kind. 

Sec. 113. Neither the Grand Exalted Ruler nor the Dis¬ 
trict Deputy shall preside at a session of a Lodge, except 
^during the ceremonies of installation or initiation, while ex¬ 
emplifying standard work, or during elections. Any past 
Exalted Ruler or any visiting Exalted Ruler may, on the re¬ 
quest of the Exalted Ruler, preside, and other visiting officer* 
assist, during the ceremony of initiation. 

Sec. 114. No Lodge or member thereof as such shall 
make a public display, except on “Memorial Day,” or on the 
occasion of a funeral of a brother, or on the days commonly 
known as “Decoration Day,” the “Fourth of July,” or “Flag 
Day,” without the consent of the Grand Exalted Ruler or 
District Deputy. 

Sec. 115. Whenever an elective position shall become va¬ 
cant for any cause, the Exalted Ruler shall order an election 
to fill the vacancy, to take place at the next regular session; 
provided, however, that any vacancy caused by the election 
of another officer to fill such vacancy may be filled at the 
same session. All vacancies shall be filled in the same man¬ 
ner in which candidates are elected at a general election. 

CHAPTER 3. 

Duties of Officers and Committees. 

CHAIR OFFICERS. 

Sec. 116. The Exalted Ruler shall preside at all sessions 
of the Lodge, call special sessions, appoint all committees 
created by the By-Laws, or vote of the Lodge, have general 
supervision over all affairs of the Lodge; see that harmony 
is preserved and the laws of the Order enforced, and perform 
such other duties as may be required of him by the laws of 
the Order, and the By-Laws of the Lodge. 

Sec. 117. The Esteemed Leading Knight, the Esteemed 
Loyal Knight and the Esteemed Lecturing Knight shall as¬ 
sist the Exalted Ruler in the performance of his duties, and 
officiate for him in his absence, in the order of their rank, and 
shall each be invested at such times with all his powers and 
prerogatives, and they shall perform such other duties as may 
be required of them by the laws of the Order, and the 
By-Laws of their Lodge 
SECRETARY. 

Sec. 118. The Secretary shall keep correct minutes of all 
sessions of the Lodsre. correct accounts between the Lodge 


BENEVOLENT AND PROTECTIVE ORDER OF ELKS. 


41 


and its members, and assign each member a number, and 
place the same opposite his name on his visiting card; keep 
a correct mailing list of the members; receive all moneys due 
the Lodge from any source whatever, pay the same to the 
Treasurer at the earliest practicable moment, and take his 
receipt therefor; attend to all correspondence, subject to the 
approval of the Exalted Ruler; formally present all communi¬ 
cations received by him to the Lodge, first submitting the 
same to the Exalted Ruler; issue all certificates pertaining to 
the business of the Lodge; inform persons elected to member¬ 
ship of such fact, and notify rejected applicants. He shall 
notify the members of all committees of their appointment, 
together with the subject given in their charge. He shall 
perform all such other duties as are inherent in and pertain 
to the duties of his office, or are required by the laws of the 
Order, or the By-Laws of his Lodge. 

He shall, on or before the first day of May of each year, 
make an annual report to the Grand Secretary as required by 
law. 

He shall also report to the Grand Secretary all expul¬ 
sions and suspensions of members, giving the name, age, 
birthplace, residence and occupation. 

He shall be required to give bond in such sum as the 
Lodge may fix in its By-Laws, and shall present a written re¬ 
port of the transactions of his office semi-annually at the first 
regular sessions in the months of April and October. 

He shall receive such compensation for his services as the 
Lodge may fix by By-Law. 

TREASURER. 

Sec. 110. The Treasurer shall receive all the money* of 
the Lodge from the Secretary, giving him a receipt therefor, 
pay all bills against the Lodge as ordered, on voucher* 
signed by the Exalted Ruler and the Secretary, and keep a 
correct account of the amount and sources of receipt* and 
amounts and purposes of disbursements, taking proper vouch¬ 
ers for the various items thereof. He shall at such times as 
the Lodge may direct, or the Exalted Ruler may require, pre¬ 
sent for examination all books, papers, vouchers, etc., that 
may be necessary for a proper auditing of his accounts. He 
shall present a report at each session, showing the condition 
of the funds of the Lodge, and shall present a written report 
of the transactions of his office semi-annually, at the first reg¬ 
ular sessions in the months of April and October. 


42 


CONSTITUTION AND STATUTES 


He shall execute a bond in such sum, and receive such 
compensation for his services as the Lodge may in its By- 

Laws provide. He shall perform such other duties as may be 
required of him by the laws of the Order, and the By-Laws of 
his Lodge. 

TILER. 

Sec. 120. The Tiler shall attend at the outer door of the 
Lodge at all its regular and special sessions, and permit no 
person to enter not entitled thereto, nor without previous an¬ 
nouncement through the Inner Guard, and formal permis¬ 
sion of the Exalted Ruler. He shall require all the brothers 
to show their visiting cards, and in addition require visiting 
brothers to register their names in the book kept for that 
purpose. He shall remain at the Lodge rooms until the 
close of all sessions whether business or social. He shall as¬ 
sume charge of all jewels, regalia, and other like Lodge prop¬ 
erty, and be held responsible for the same, and see that 
they are in proper condition for all sessions of the Lodge, 
whether business or social. He shall furnish all necessary 
paraphernalia by order of the presiding officer, have charge 
of the keys of the Lodge doors, and see that all property of 
the Lodge is stored in safety before leaving the Lodge room. 

He shall perform such other duties as are inherent in and 
pertain to his office, or any required by the laws of the Order, 
or the By-Laws of his Lodge. 

He may receive such compensation for his services, as 
may be fixed by By-Laws. 

BOARD OF TRUSTEES. 

Sec. 121. The Board ©f Trustees after each annual elec¬ 
tion, shall meet and organize by the selection of a chairman 
and a secretary. Said Board shall have control of the funds, 
investments and property of the Lodge, whether real or per¬ 
sonal, intrusted to them, and shall receive and collect the 
income and rents therefrom. Said Board shall execute all 
leases, contracts or other papers necessary or proper in the 
management or control of the funds, investments or other 
property of the Lodge. It shall, at the call of the Chairman, 
hold such meetings as may be required for the fulfillment of 
its duties, keeping correct minutes thereof. It shall also keep 
a record of such investments as it may from time to time 
make under the direction of the Lodge, which shall show 
clearly the original cost of such investment, the dates and 


BENEVOLENT AND PROTECTIVE ORDER OF ELKS. 


43 


amounts of the receipts arising as interest or profit upon 9 Uch 
investments, the dates and amounts of bank deposits made by 
it, and dates and amounts of such drafts as may from time to 
time be made from the bank by order of the Lodge. 

It shall purchase all supplies ordered by the Lodge, and 
ail blanks, books and stationery required by the officers for 
the proper performance of their duties. It shall receive and 
hold the bonds of the officers of the Lodge, and shall present 
a written report of its transactions semi-annually, at the first 
regular sessions in April and October, and shall perform 
such other duties as may be required by the laws of the Order, 
or the By-Laws of the Lodge. 

CHAPLAIN AND INNER GUARD. 

Sec. 122. The Chaplain and the Inner Guard shall each 
perform such duties as may be required of them by the law* 
of the Order, or the By-Laws of the Lodge. 

THE ESQUIRE. 

Sec. 123. The Esquire shall organize the Lodge, examine 
and introduce candidates and visiting brothers, superintend 
the secret work and ballots for initiation and affiliation, trans¬ 
mit official messages as directed by the Exalted Ruler, and 
in all public displays by the Lodge he shall officiate as 
Marshal. He shall perform such other duties a9 may be re¬ 
quired of him by the laws of the Order, or the By-Laws of 
the Lodge. 

THE ORGANIST. 

Sec. 124. The Organist shall officiate at the opening and 
closing of the Lodge, and during initiations, as well as when 
otherwise required by the work of the Lodge, and shall per¬ 
form such other duties as may be required of him by the laws 
of the Order, or the By-Laws of the Lodge. He may receive 
compensation for his services at the will of the Lodge. 

FINANCE COMMITTEE. 

Sec. 125. At the next session after his installation, the 
Exalted Ruler shall appoint a standing Committee of Finance, 
consisting of three members, to hold office for one Lodge 
year. It shall be the imperative duty of this committee to 
audit and approve or disapprove the accounts of the Treas¬ 
urer, Secretary, Board of Trustees, officers of the Lodge, and 
all committees, and report thereon in writing, at the first reg¬ 
ular sessions in the months of October and April, after the 


44 


CONSTITUTION AND STATUTES 


appointment and at such other times as the Lodge may direct. 
It shall also examine into and report upon and act in such 
other matters of finance as the Lodge may from time to time 
direct. 

VISITING COMMITTEE. 

Sec. 126. At the next session after his installation, and at 
the first regular session in October, the Exalted Ruler shall 
appoint a Visiting Committee consisting of three or more 
members, whose duty it shall be for the ensuing six months 
to visit brothers of the Lodge, or other Elks, reported to 
them as ill, and report their doings in person or in writing, 
at the first regular session after such visits shall have been 
made. 

RELIEF COMMITTEE. 

Sec. 127. The Exalted Ruler, Esteemed Leading Knight, 
Esteemed Loyal Knight, Esteemed Lecturing Knight, Secre¬ 
tary and Treasurer shall constitute the standing Relief Com¬ 
mittee of the Lodge, which shall examine into the merits of 
all cases brought to its attention, suggesting the necessity of 
aid or relief with power to act in manner provided by law 

SPECIAL COMMITTEES. 

See. 128. Special Committees may be appointed, consist¬ 
ing of as many members as the Lodge in its discretion may 
deem proper, and when committees fewer in number than five 
are appointed, the member first named shall be the chairman 
thereof. When five or more than five constitute a committee 
the first named shall be the temporary chairman thereof until 
such time as the members of the committee shall elect a per¬ 
manent chairman. 

Sec. 129. Every committee shall have power to call for 
such books, documents, papers and other articles as it may’ 
deem necessary, to a correct understanding of the subject 
under consideration, or the business it shall have been charged 
with, and every member of the Lodge notified to appear be¬ 
fore a committee, to produce books, papers or other articles 
in his possession, or under his control, shall, unless excused 
by the committee, attend at the time and place specified, and 
continue his attendance until dismissed. 


BENEVOLENT AND PROTECTIVE ORDER OF ELKS. 


45 


CHAPTER L 


Returns. 


Sec. 130. On or before the tenth day of March of each 
year, the Grand Secretary shall send to each Lodge, blank 
forms, upon which the Secretary thereof shall report the fol¬ 
lowing items; as of date March 31 of that year: 

1 . The number of Elks at date of previous report (or at 
institution). 

2 . The number of Elks suspended during the Lodge year. 

3. The number of Elks expelled during the Lodge year. 

4. The number of Elks stricken from the roll for non¬ 
payment of dues. 

5. The number of Elks dimited during Lodge year. 

6 . The number of Elks deceased during Lodge year. 

7. The number of Elks initiated during Lodge year. 

8 . The number of Elks affiliated by dimits or reinstate¬ 
ment during Lodge year. 

9. The number of Elks on roll of membership. 

10 . A statement of money expended in charity, and to 
bury the dead (but the name of any brother receiving aid or 
relief must not be given in this report). 

11. The amount to the credit of the Lodge at last report 
(or at institution). 

12 . The total amount of receipts since previous report 
(or since institution). 

13. The total amount of expenditures since last report 
(or since institution). 

14. The amount on hand at date of present report. 

15. The value of property of the Lodge (estimated), 
with details of important items. 

16. The amount otherwise invested, or in bank. 

17. The amount of annual tax or other moneys due the 
Grand Lodge at date of report. 

18. The result of the election of officers. 

19. The names of all members of the Grand Lodge and 
Past Exalted Rulers in good standing in the Lodge. 

This report shall be signed by the Exalted Ruler and 
Secretary, with the seal of the Lodge attached and shall be 
accompanied with a certified check, draft or money order pay- 


46 


CONSTITUTION AND STATUTES 


able to the order of the Grand Secretary in full of all in¬ 
debtedness of the Lodge to the Grand Lodge. 

Any Lodge that fails or refuses to make or transmit to 
the Grand Secretary its annual report, and pay all indebted¬ 
ness to the Grand Lodge, on or before May 1st of each year, 
shall be required to pay a fine of Fifty Dollars to the Grand 
Lodge through the office of the Grand Secretary. 


CHAPTER 5. 

Surrender and Forfeiture of Dispensations and Charters. 

Sec. 131. A Lodge can be dissolved only by the surren¬ 
der or forfeiture of its charter or dispensation, and the char¬ 
ter of a Lodge can only be surrendered when less than nine 
of its members are desirous of retaining the same. 

A Lodge desiring to surrender its charter or dispensation 
voluntarily, must petition the Grand Exalted Ruler, in writ¬ 
ing, which petition must contain the names of all the mem¬ 
bers of said Lodge who desire that the charter or dispensation 
be surrendered. It must also be signed by all members in 
good standing who are opposed to the surrender of the same, 
and should it appear that less than nine members in good 
standing are desirous of retaining the same, the Grand Ex¬ 
alted Ruler shall have power to receive the surrender of such 
dispensation or charter. 

In the event of a Subordinate Lodge surrendering its 
charter in the manner above, it shall be the duty of the Grand 
Exalted Ruler to report the same fully to the Grand Lodge. 

Sec. 132. A Lodge may forfeit its dispensation or charter, 

by: 

a. Contumacy to the authority of the Grand Lodge, the 
Grand Exalted Ruler, or any superior officer or tribunal. 

b. Departure from the standard work. 

c. Violation of the Constitution or Statutes. 

d. Disorderly conduct on the part of the members, either 
in the Lodge room or in public places, tending to bring the 
Order into disrepute. 

e. The use by such Lodge of any name indicating any 
part of the deer or elk, except in legitimate work of the 
Order within the Lodge room. 

f. Failure to pay taxes levied by the Grand Lodge. 

g. Failure to hold meetings for three months. 


47 


BENEVOLENT AND PROTECTIVE ORDER OF ELKS. 

h. Failure to make reports required by law. 

i. Refusal to receive charges or have trial thereof against 
any member for a violation of any provision of the Constitu¬ 
tion and Statutes of the Order. 

Sec. 133. During the pendency of charges made against 
a Lodge for any of the causes enumerated in the last preced¬ 
ing section, the Grand Exalted Ruler may, by and with the 
consent and approval of the Board of Grand Trustees, when 
in his opinion just ground exists therefor, suspend the dis¬ 
pensation or charter of such Lodge. 

Sec. 134. The surrender of a charter, when approved by 
the Grand Lodge, or the forfeiture of a dispensation or char¬ 
ter, when declared by the Grand Lodge, shall be conclusive 
upon the Lodge and its members, and all the property of the 
Lodge, necessary to conduct the ceremonies prescribed by 
the ritual ,including its dispensation or charter, books, pa¬ 
pers, jewels, emblems, regalia and effects, shall become the 
property of, and must be surrendered to the Grand Lodge, 
or its authorized agent, on demand, by the person having the 
custody thereof, and any officer having custody of any of said 
property, refusing to surrender the same on demand, shall be 
expelled from the Order, and forever excluded from its 
benefits. 

Any such Lodge so surrendering or forfeiting its charter, 
may be reinstated by the Grand Lodge at an annual session, 
and upon such reinstatement all property received by the 
Grand Lodge upon the suspension or forfeiture of such 
Lodge, shall be restored to it by the Grand Lodge, as far as 
practicable. 

Sec. 135. Members of a suspended or dissolved Lodge, 
who were in good standing and without fault at the time of its 
suspension or dissolution may apply for membership in any 
other Lodge in whose jurisdiction they may reside; and to 
that end may receive from the Grand Exalted Ruler a certifi¬ 
cate of their status duly attested under the seal of the Order 
by the Grand Secretary. The fee for such certificate shall be 
$2.00. The said certificate shall be good for one year, and 
shall not be renewed unless for good cause shown. The said 
certificate shall give to the holder thereof no right whatso¬ 
ever, except to apply to a Lodge for membership therein. 

Should the Grand Exalted Ruler refuse to issue such cer¬ 
tificate to any applicant therefor, the Grand Lodge, upon 
proper petition of the applicant may review such action *na 
may grant or refuse such certificate. 


4 8 


CONSTITUTION AND STATUTES 


CHAPTER 6. 

Applications for Membership and Balloting. 

Sec. 136. The membership of the Order shall be con¬ 
fined to white male citizens of the United States of America, 
i of sound mind and body, of good character, not under the 
j age of twenty-one years, and in possession of the five human 
j senses. An Elk cannot be a member of more than one Lodge 
I at the same time. 

Sec. 137. No Lodge shall receive an application from 
any person residing in the jurisdiction of another Lodge, ex¬ 
cept where the Grand Exalted Ruler grants a dispensation 
therefor, under the provisions of Section 141. 

Sec. 138. No Lodge can waive its jurisdiction over an 
applicant for membership or affiliation, in favor of another 
Lodge, and all attempts so to do are absolutely prohibited, 
and are void. 

Sec. 139., A Lodge may require applicants to undergo a 
physical examination. 

Sec. 140. Any person desiring membership in a Lodge 
must be proposed in writing by a member thereof at a reg¬ 
ular session of the Lodge. Said proposition shall state the 
name, occupation, date and place of birth and present and 
last preceding residence of the person proposed, and refer¬ 
ences to at least two members of the Order; and also whether 
or not he has ever been proposed for membership in any 
Lodge of the Order, and if so, when and where, and with what 
result. This proposition shall be made only on the official 
blank of the Order, and must be signed by the person pro¬ 
posed for membership. Where the last preceding place of 
residence is given, if there be a Lodge existing in such city so 
named, and if less than five years have elapsed from the date 
of the applicant’s residence therein to the date of his said 
application, notice of such application shall be immediately 
given to said Lodge by the Secretary of the Lodge to which 
the application is made. No vote shall be taken upon said 
application until the expiration of thirty days after such notice. 
(The form shall be as found in the appendix hereof, with the 
addition of such excerpts from the Grand Lodge laws as the 
Board of Grand Trustees may order printed thereon from 
time to time.) 

Sec. 141. No application shall be considered by a Lodge, 
from any person who is not, and has not been, a bona fide 
resident within the jurisdiction of said Lodge, for a period of 


BENEVOLENT AND PROTECTIVE ORDER OF ELKS. 


49 


six months immediately preceding the time of filing said appli¬ 
cation; provided, that an applicant for membership who is 
in the employ of the government under the civil service laws 
of the United States, and who has lived in the District of Co¬ 
lumbia format least six months immediately preceding the time 
of filing his application, must file his application with Wash¬ 
ington Lodge No. 15; provided, further, that where a special 
reason exists therefor, the Grand Exalted Ruler may, when in 
his judgment a departure from this rule will subserve the best 
interests of the Order, grant a dispensation to join and be 
initiated by a designated Lodge other than that having juris¬ 
diction over the applicant, but no such dispensation shall be 
granted until notice shall have been given to the Lodge hav¬ 
ing jurisdiction over such applicant, and an opportunity to be 
heard in relation thereto. 

Sec. 142. No Lodge shall act upon any application of a 
rejected candidate for the period of six months after his re¬ 
jection, nor shall any other Lodge act upon his application 
at any time without permission of the Lodge which rejected 
him, given at a regular session. 

Sec. 143. When a person shall have been elected in any 
Lodge, but shall not have proceeded further,. such Lodge 
shall not be deemed to have obtained jurisdiction over him, 
sufficient to prevent any other Lodge from receiving and act¬ 
ing upon his application for membership. The secretaries of 
Lodges shall communicate with each other in all such cases, 
for the information of their Lodges. 

Sec. 144. The application shall, at the session at which 
it is read, be referred to an investigating committee of three 
members, whose duty it shall be to carefully examine into the 
character of the applicant, verify the statements made in the 
application, and report thereon at the next regular session of 
the Lodge, or as soon thereafter as practicable. 

At the next regular session of the Lodge after the report 
is made by the Investigating Committee, or a majority there¬ 
of, a ballot upon the admission of the candidate must be 
taken unless the Lodge shall have received credible informa¬ 
tion that the applicant is unworthy, in which case it may direct 
the appointment of a special committee of investigation, which 
special committee shall, without unnecessary delay, inquire 
into the charges and report thereon, after which, at anv sub¬ 
sequent regular session a ballot shall be taken. 

Should three or more black balls or cubes be depwited 
the applicant shall be declared rejected; but if amongst all the 


\o CONSTITUTION AND STATUTES 

^allots there shall be fewer than three black balls or cubes 
leposited, he shall be declared elected and shall be entitled 
o initiation at the same or any subsequent session within fqur 
nonths. 

Nothing herein contained shall be construed to prevent 
subordinate Lodges from adopting a By-Law designating 
ertain meeting nights, for the purpose of initiation; pro- 
fided, that there shall be one or more such meeting nights in 
ach month. Should the candidate fail to appear for initia- 
ion, without good cause therefor, within four months from 
he date of his election, his right to initiation under said elec- 
ion shall be forfeited, and in such case the Lodge shall not re¬ 
urn, by appropriation or any other manner, to said applicant, 
ny portion of the amount previously deposited by him. 

Sec. 145. Each applicant must be balloted upon sepa- 
ately. When two or more applicants are balloted upon at 
he same time, the Exalted Ruler shall direct that a separate 
(allot box shall be used for each applicant, which box shall 
e plainly labeled with the name of the applicant to be therein 
oted for. The boxes shall be placed at least four feet apart 
ipon suitable tables so that the members may pass from one 
ballot box to the other, in rotation, in depositing their bal¬ 
lots. 

Sec. 146. Each and every ballot box used when balloting 
upon applicants must contain substantially an equal number 
of white balls and black balls or cubes, and it is made the 
special duty of the Exalted Ruler and the Esquire to see that 
this provision be complied with. 

Sec. 147. At the same session of the Lodge at which a 
ballot is taken, the Exalted Ruler may for any reason satis¬ 
factory to himself, and in the interest of Justice and Brother¬ 
ly Love, order a new ballot to be taken. If such order be 
made after passing from the order of business designated as 
“Balloting for Candidates,” the second ballot for the appli¬ 
cant cannot be taken until the next subsequent regular meet¬ 
ing under the proper order of business. Said second ballot 
shall be final and conclusive. 

Sec. 148. Lodges may initiate candidates at any regular 
meeting, or at any special meeting called as provided by law. 

Sec. 149. When more than one Lodge exists in a state 
the jurisdiction of each over applicants for membership there¬ 
in shall extend to a line equi-distant between the boundaries 
of the cities or villages in which the adjoining Lodges are 
located. In case of dispute on this matter between two or 


BENEVOLENT AND PROTECTIVE ORDER OF ELKS. 


5i 


more Lodges, the Grand Exalted Ruler shall fix the bound¬ 
aries and report his decision at the next annual session of the* 
Grand Lodge, and in so fixing said boundaries he may disre¬ 
gard state boundary lines. 

Provided, that for jurisdictional purposes Bristol Lodge 
No. 232 be considered in both Tennessee and Virginia. 

Sec. 150. When a rejected applicant for membership 
shall make another application, it must be read at two suc¬ 
cessive regular sessions of the Lodge before being referred to 
the Investigating Committee. 

Sec. 151. Any Lodge knowingly or willfully violating 
any of the provisions of the preceding sections, relative to 
applications and action thereon, shall be disciplined by the 
Grand Exalted Ruler or with the consent of the Board of 
Grand Trustees the Grand Exalted Ruler may suspend its 
charter. 

Sec. 152. An application for membership may be with¬ 
drawn by the proposer with the consent of the Lodge, at any 
time previous to the reading of the applicant’s name for ballot. 

Sec. 153. No Lodge shall permit a candidate to be initi¬ 
ated who has not paid an initiation fee of at least Twenty-five 
Dollars. 

Sec. 154. A Lodge shall return the proposition fee of a 
rejected applicant. 

Sec. 155. Every member of a Lodge present during any 
balloting therein for initiation, or affiliation, must vote. But 
failure of any member to vote shall not invalidate the ballot. 

Sec. 156. The ballot upon the admission of a candidate in 
all cases shall be strictly inviolate and any member who shall 
make known the kind of ballot he shall have or is about t® 
cast, shall be amenable to expulsion, suspension, or repri¬ 
mand, as the Judicial Assembly may determine. No member 
of the Order shall enter or leave the lodge room while a ballot 
is being actually taken. 

Sec. 157. After a ballot upon an application for member¬ 
ship has resulted favorably, and before initiation, if any mem¬ 
ber shall declare in open lodge that the candidate is unworthy 
to be an Elk, stating the grounds upon which his declaration 
is made, and the source of his information; and if upon such 
statement the Exalted Ruler shall be satisfied that the same is 
made in good faith, the ballot shall, on motion of any member 
be reconsidered, but the grounds of the reconsideration must 
be included in the motion and spread upon the minutes. 

After reconsideration, the question shall then be submit- 


52 


CONSTITUTION AND STATUTES 


ted to the Lodge, “Shall the election of the candidate be con¬ 
firmed?” If two-thirds of the members present vote favorably 
the election shall stand confirmed; otherwise, the candidate 
shall be rejected. Discussion upon the motion, and upon the 
merits of the case shall be in order. 

Sec. 158. An Elk expelled from his lodge may, after the 
expiration of one year from the date of such expulsion, apply 
for restoration to membership. Such application must be in 
writing, and must be read at four successive regular sessions 
of the Lodge, and immediately after the fourth reading, a 
secret ballot shall be taken thereon. Should three or more 
black balls or cubes be cast, the applicant shall be deemed 
rejected, without prejudice, however, to a subsequent appli¬ 
cation at the expiration of another year from the date of such 
rejection. Should fewer than three black balls or cubes be 
cast, the application together with the action of the Lodge 
thereon shall be transmitted to the Grand Lodge for its ap¬ 
proval. The Grand Lodge shall refer such application to the 
Judiciary Committee, which shall investigate and report there¬ 
on before the Grand Lodge may vote his restoration to mem¬ 
bership. 

Sec. 159. An Elk suspended or expelled from his lodge 
upon conviction in the Grand Forum or in his lodge, affirmed 
by the Grand Forum, may apply in writing to the Grand 
Lodge for a pardon; provided, however, that at least 30 days 
before making such application for pardon to the Grand 
Lodge he shall serve upon the Lodge of which he was a 
member at the time of his conviction, a notice in writing 
of his intention to apply for such pardon. Upon receiving 
such application for pardon, the Grand Lodge shall refer 
the same to the Committee on Judiciary; and both the appli¬ 
cant for pardon and the lodge of which he was a member, or 
any representative or interested party may be heard before 
said Committee. Upon report of the Committee to the Grand 
Lodge, the Grand Lodge may pardon such member and re¬ 
store him to his rights and membership in the Order, pro¬ 
vided that two-thirds of the members of the Grand Lodge 
present and voting, vote in favor of such pardon. 

CHAPTER 7. 

Initiation. 

Sec. 160. In initiations, the form of ritualistic work ap¬ 
proved and prescribed by the Grand Lodge, and none other, 
shall be used. All paraphernalia of every kind and nature used 


BENEVOLENT AND PROTECTIVE ORDER OF ELKS. 


53 


in the initiatory ceremony, shall be purchased and procured 
through the office of the Grand Secretary. 

No Lodge shall initiate more than twenty candidates in 
one week, except at the institution of a Lodge. 

Should any Lodge violate any of the provisions of this 
section, such violation shall be reported by the District Dep¬ 
uty, or any Elk in good standing, to the Grand Exalted Ruler, 
who shall investigate the same, and if he finds the charge 
true, he may discipline said Lodge, or by and with the con¬ 
sent of the Grand Trustees, may suspend its charter and re¬ 
port his action to the Grand Lodge at its next meeting for its 
approval or disapproval. 

Sec. 161. Upon the written request of a Lodge in which 
a candidate is elected, a sister lodge may, within the time 
prescribed by law, initiate such candidate for the lodge mak 
ing such request. The Secretary of the initiating lodge shall 
secure from the initiate his signature to a written agreement 
to support, maintain and abide by the Constitution and laws 
of the Grand Lodge, and the By-Laws of the lodge for which 
such member was initiated and forward same in the next 
mail to the lodge making request. (Form in appendix.) 


CHAPTER 8. 

General Powers of Lodges. 

Sec. 162. Any Lodge may incorporate under the laws of 
the state of territory wherein it is situated. 

Sec. 163. No Lodge shall have power to loan any of its 
funds to any of its members. 

Sec. 164. Any Lodge may elect any of its members for 
life, upon the payment in advance, of a sum provided in its 
By-Laws, which in no case shall be under One Hundred Dol¬ 
lars, and may elect a member to honorary life membership, 
as a mark of honor, for services rendered to the Lodge. Life 
members shall be subject to all the laws of the Order. No 
Lodge shall elect any person not a member of the Order, to 
honorary membership. 

Sec. 165. Each Lodge shall have authority to enact By- 
Laws for its own local government, not contrary to the Con¬ 
stitution and Statutes of the Order. 

Sec. 166. The Committee on Judiciary shall prepare and 
file with the Grand Secretary a form of By-Laws for use, as 
a guide, by subordinate lodges. The Grand Secretary shall 


54 


constitution and statutes 


have a sufficient supply of such forms printed, and shall fur¬ 
nish the same on application. No By-Laws shall take effect 
until submitted to the Chairman of Committee on Judiciary 
of the Grand Lodge and approved by him. 

Sec. 167. The Exalted Ruler of the Lodge shall, with tht 
approval of the Lodge, have power during a session thereof 
to suspend any member for that session, for conduct unworthy 
an Elk, or unbecoming a gentleman. 

Sec. 168. No member shall be admitted to or excused 
from a lodge room during the opening ceremonies, reading of 
the minutes, while a ballot is being actually taken upon an 
application for membership, during initiation, or the closing 
ceremonies. 

Sec. 169. A Lodge shall have power to exclude from 
participation in its charity fund such brothers as shall be in¬ 
debted to the Lodge in an amount equal to one year’s dues. 

Sec. 170. All annual dues shall be fixed by the By-Laws 
of each Lodge, and shall be uniform as to each and every 
member, and must be paid semi-annually in advance, on April 
1st and October 1st. 

Sec. 171. A Lodge may “strike, from the roll,” after 
proper notice sent to the last address furnished the secre¬ 
tary, the name of any brother indebted to the Lodge for one 
year’s dues. 

Sec. 172. Upon the payment of the regular dues to a 
Lodge, up to the time of his application for reinstatement, 
the name of a brother “stricken from the roll” shall, on a 
majority vote, be again placed upon the roll, provided that a 
year shall not have intervened from such striking from the 
roll. If a year has intervened from such striking from the 
roll, and the time of his application for reinstatement, a secret 
ballot shall be taken and if six black balls shall be cast, rein¬ 
statement shall be refused, without prejudice, however, to a 
future application after the lapse of six months; provided, 
however, that at the time of making such application, he shall 
pay in addition to his indebtedness as it existed at the time 
his name was stricken (which indebtedness must be paid be¬ 
fore the application is acted upon and may be retained by 
the Lodge whether the application is considered favorably 
or otherwise), the fee for reinstatement required by the By- 
Laws of the Lodge. 

Sec. 173. A member “stricken from the roll” for non¬ 
payment of dues, shall in the event of the dissolution, surren¬ 
der or forfeiture of the charter of such Lodge, be permitted 


BENEVOLENT AND PROTECTIVE ORDER OF ELKS. 


55 


to make application to the Lodge in whose jurisdiction he 
resides, for admission therein, which application shall be made 
JP pursuance of the laws governing applications for affiliation. 
Sam petition shall be accompanied by a certificate of status 
similar to the certificate provided for in Section 135 of the 
Statutes. The Grand Secretary shall receive for such cer¬ 
tificate a fee of two dollars plus the amount of applicant’s 
dues owing at the time he was “stricken from the rolls.” 

Sec. 174. A member suspended by a Lodge for any other 
cause, shall, in the event of the dissolution, surrender or for¬ 
feiture of the charter of such Lodge, be permitted to make ap¬ 
plication to the. Lodge in whose jurisdiction he resides, for 
admission therein, in the same manner provided in the last 
preceding section; except that the Grand Secretary shall re¬ 
ceive for the certificate of status therein provided for, a fee 
of Five Dollars: Provided, however, that such member shall 
first apply to the Grand Exalted Ruler, giving him a state¬ 
ment of his suspension and the cause therefor, and if the 
Grand Exalted Ruler approves his application, such approval 
shall accompany the application to the Subordinate Lodge. 

CHAPTER 9. 

Relief. 

Sec. 175. An Elk may be granted Relief by his Lodge 
when in need, provided the Standing Relief Committee is 
thoroughly satisfied of his real necessity and worthiness 
No brother who has been “stricken from the roll,” suspended, 
or expelled, shall, if reinstated or restored, be granted any 
help until he shall have been in good standing again for the 
term of six months from date of his reinstatement or reaffili¬ 
ation. 

Sec. 176. A Subordinate Lodge may, in its discretion, 
assist a widow, wife or minor child of any member, but only 
after a thorough and satisfactory examination of all the sur¬ 
rounding circumstances of the case. 

Sec. 177. A Lodge may remit the dues of any member 
who is sick or in distress, under such conditions as may be 
fixed by its By-Laws. 

Sec. 178. Any Elk who finds himself actually m need 
of the necessaries of life, or sick, or in distress, and who is at 
the same time at a distance from the city or town in which 
his own Lodge is located, may make application for help to 
any Lodge of the Order within whose jurisdiction he may 


56 


CONSTITUTION AND STATUTES 


be at the time. Upon receipt of such an application, the Sec¬ 
retary of the Lodge receiving it shall communicate with the 
Secretary of the Lodge of which the applicant is a member; 
and before any help shall be granted, a statement shall be 
received from the Lodge of the applicant giving the standing 
of *aid applicant together with amount for which the said 
Lodge will become responsible. In case of death under 
similar circumstances the same course shall be pursued. No 
Lodge shall be held responsible to any other Lodge for help 
given in violation of the provisions of this section, but nothing 
herein contained shall be so construed as to prohibit any Lodge 
from helping any Elk, not one of its members, who may be 
within its jurisdiction and in distress, from its own funds. In 
cases where difficulties prevent proper and rapid communica¬ 
tion between Lodges, or where such action must be prompt, 
such reasonable steps may be taken to temporarily meet ac¬ 
tual necessity, and communication should then immediately 
be had with the Lodge of the applicant or deceased, as the 
case may be; and in such cases, to hold a Lodge responsible 
for aid given in this manner to any of its members, without 
prior communication, the acts must be subsequently ratified 
by the Lodge or proper officers thereof. 

Sec. 179. Any member who shall misrepresent his true 
condition and shall unworthily receive aid or relief from the 
Order or who shall abuse its charity privileges, shall be guilty 
of an offense and upon trial and conviction shall be expelled 
from the Order. 


CHAPTER 10. 

Dimits. 

Sec. 180. There shall be two kinds or classes of Dimits, 
viz: Absolute Dimits and Transfer Dimits. 

Sec. 181. A Dimit shall be granted at a regular session, 
without fee by a Lodge, whether existing under dispensation 
or charter, to any member who may apply therefor in writing, 
provided that the applicant surrenders his membership card 
and is not in debt in any manner to his Lodge, and that 
charges of misconduct are not pending against him. 

Sec. 182. A member who shall apply for and receive an 
Absolute Dimit, shall become thereby an unaffiliated Elk, but 
shall remain subject to the jurisdiction of the Lodge granting 
such Dimit. In no case shall he become a member of an}' 
other Lodge, while holding such Dimit, until notice shall first 


BENEVOLENT AND PROTECTIVE ORDER OF ELKS. 


57 


be given to the lodge granting said Dimit, and a period of 
thirty days shall elapse before a ballot on said Dimit shall be 
taken by the Lodge to which application for membership 
shall be made. 

Applications for membership by those holding Absolute 
Dimits shall be received and acted upon in the same manner 
as Original applications for membership in the Order, sub¬ 
ject, however, to the provisions contained in this section. 

Sec. 183. A member in good standing may petition, in 
writing, for a Transfer Dimit, to join another Lodge, in which 
case his petition shall certify his intention of making applica¬ 
tion for affiliation with such Lodge, or a Lodge about to be 
instituted, and the applicant shall not because thereof, relin¬ 
quish any benefit as an Elk, or as a member of the Lodge 
granting such Transfer Dimit, until his application shall have 
been accepted by such other Lodge; provided, however, that 
no such Transfer Dimit shall be granted unless the applicant 
therefor has removed for the purpose of taking up his resi¬ 
dence, in good faith, within the jurisdiction of the Lodge with 
which he desires to affiliate; and provided, that he shall make 
such application for affiliation with such other Lodge in writ¬ 
ing, within thirty days after the date of his Transfer Dimit. If 
he fails to make such application for affiliation with such other 
Lodge within thirty days, or if he makes such application and 
is rejected, such Dimit shall become void, and his membership 
shall continue in the Lodge which granted it, as fully as 
though such Dimit had not been issued. If the applicant be 
rejected he shall not be granted another Transfer Dimit for 
the period of six months; provided, further, that Transfer 
Dimits to and from Lodges in the island possessions of the 
United States, and the Territory of Alaska shall be valid for 
ninety days, instead of thirty days. 

It shall be the duty of the Secretary of a Lodge, to whom 
an applicant may submit his Transfer Dimit for its action, 
to notify by registered letter the Secretary of the Lodge who 
granted such Dimit, of the applicant’s acceptance or rejection. 

Applications for membership by those holding Transfer 
Dimits shall be received and acted upon in the same manner 
as original applications for membership in the Order. 

Sec. 184. A Lodge may receive any member from another 
Lodge, on Dimit, on payment of such affiliation fee as may be 
provided by the By-Laws of the Lodge receiving such mem¬ 
ber. 


58 


CONSTITUTION AND STATUTES 


CHAPTER 11. 

Membership. 

Sec. 185. A member shall be termed an Elk. An Elk in 
good standing shall have the same and equal privileges and 
immunities with every other member of his Lodge. 

Sec. 186. A member who has been expelled after due 
trial, shall not thereafter be regarded as an Elk in any sense, 
unless restored to membership in the Order in the manner 
provided by law. 

Sec. 187. A member holding an Absolute Dimit, or who 
has been “stricken from the roll” for non-payment of dues, 
or who has been suspended after due trial, or who was a 
member of a Lodge the charter of which has been surren¬ 
dered, suspended or forfeited, shall be deemed an unaffiliated 
Elk. 

Sec. 188. An unaffiliated Elk shall not be permitted to 
visit any Lodge, or join as an Elk in any public procession oi 
display of the Order; or to display or use any emblem of the 
Order, nor shall he receive relief or burial as an Elk, at the 
hands of a Lodge. 

Sec. 189. Any unaffiliated Elk who shall violate any of 
the provisions of the preceding section, or shall be guilty of 
any charges upon which an affiliated Elk may be tried, shall 
be proceeded against in the last Lodge with which he was 
affiliated should such Lodge be in possession of its charter, 
otherwise, in the Grand Forum; and upon a trial and con¬ 
viction thereof, shall be expelled from the Order. 

Sec. 190. An Elk who has paid his dues as required by 
law, shall be entitled to receive a membership card, bearing 
the seal of the Lodge, signed by the Exalted Ruler, and at¬ 
tested by the Secretary, and signed by the member himself. 
The color of said card shall not be the same in any two con¬ 
secutive years. Life membership cards shall be issued an¬ 
nually to life members in the same manner and color as 
membership cards for the same year. 

Sec. 190a. Subordinate Lodges are authorized to issue, 
under their seals, upon the written request of any member in 
good standing, to the wife, mother, daughter or sister of a 
member, and to the widow of a deceased member so long 
as she shall remain his widow, a visiting or identification card, 
stating her name and residence, and showing at whose request 
said card was issued, and the relationship of the holder of the 
same to the brother requesting it, and the date when said card 


BENEVOLENT AND PROTECTIVE ORDER OF ELKS. 


59 


expires. Said card shall not be issued for a longer period of 
time than that for which the'dues of the Brother requesting 
it are paid, and if requested by a life member, said card shall 
not be issued for a longer time than the end of the current 
lodge year; and shall be signed by the lady to whom it is 
issued before it becomes valid. Said cards shall be issued by 
the Secretary of Subordinate Lodges without charge, and the 
Grand Secretary is instructed to furnish to Subordinate 
Lodges blank cards suitably printed, which shall be uniform 
in character and which shall be consecutively numbered for 
each Lodge procuring same, and of the same color as the 
ordinary membership cards; and the Secretary of Subordinate 
Lodges issuing said cards shall be required to keep a record 
of the same by stub or otherwise. 

(The form of such cards will be found in the appendix.) 

Sec. 191. A member must exhibit to the Tiler, his mem¬ 
bership card, showing that his dues have been paid in full 
to date, before he shall be entitled to admission to his own 
or any other Lodge; provided, however, that if he is unable 
to present his membership card to the Tiler of his own Lodge, 
he shall be entitled to admission if the secretary, at the time, 
inform the Tiler, through the Inner Guard, that his dues are 
paid in full to date. 

A member losing or misplacing his card, upon application 
to the secretary of his Lodge, shall have a duplicate thereof 
issued to him. 

Sec. 192. In visiting a sister Lodge, an Elk must present 
his membership card, and no Lodge shall admit him unless 
he presents such card, showing his dues paid in full to date, 
and he must also give the test oath required by the ritual, 
and pass an examination. When a visiting brother is an¬ 
nounced in the ante-room, the Exalted Ruler must immedi¬ 
ately direct the Esquire to make the proper examination, and 
if such visitor be entitled to admission, he shall be admitted 
without delay 


CHAPTER 12. 

Social Sessions. 

Sec. 193. A social session may be held by any Lodge, to 
which, at. the option f the Lodge and under such rules as it 
may prescribe, persons not members of the Order, may be 
admitted; but no social session shall be held on Elks’ Memo¬ 
rial Day, or during a session of the Lodge. 


6o 


CONSTITUTION AND STATUTES 


Sec. 194. The proceedings of social sessions shall be char¬ 
acterized by true gentlemanly decorum, and no vulgarity, pro¬ 
fanity or indecent conduct shall be permitted. Any Elk of¬ 
fending against this provision, shall be subject to discipline, 
suspension or expulsion. Every Elk shall be responsible to 
the Lodge for the conduct of guests admitted upon his invi¬ 
tation. 

If any Lodge shall permit a violation of this law, the 
Grand Exalted Ruler, with the consent of the Board of Grand 
Trustees, shall have power to suspend its charter. The Lodge 
shall be answerable for the conduct of all persons attending 
social sessions. 


CHAPTER 13. 

Homes or Clubs. 

Sec. 195. A Lodge may establish and maintain a home or 
club, for the social enjoyment of its members, bearing a name, 
title, or emblem of the Order, and subject to such limita¬ 
tions and restrictions as may be provided by law. 

Sec. 196. No home or club shall be established or main¬ 
tained in any city or town except where a Lodge of the Order 
exists. 

Sec. 197. Every member in good standing in a Lodge 
shall be entitled to all the rights and privileges of the home 
or club connected therewith, whether such home or club be 
incorporated or not. The membership of such home or club 
shall be limited exclusively to members in good standing in 
the Lodge. 

Sec. 198. A subordinate lodge may, in its discretion, have 
such home or club incorporated, but the officers, directors, or 
managing board of such corporation, shall at all times be 
selected from the Exalted Ruler, Trustees, or other officers 
of the Lodge, and the charter, by-laws, rules and regulations 
of such corporation must be submitted to the Committee ®n 
Judiciary of the Grand Lodge, for its approval. 

Sec. 199. If such home or club be not incorporated, it 
shall be managed and controlled by the officers or trustees 
of the Lodge, or by a house committee to be appointed by the 
Exalted Ruler for the purpose, as n ay be determined by 
by-law, under such rules and regulations as may be adopted 
by the Lodge and approved by the Committee on Judiciary 
of the Grand Lodge. 


BENEVOLENT AND PROTECTIVE ORDER OF ELKS. 61 

Sec. 200. Gambling, in any and all forms, is absolutely 
prohibited in any Lodge, lodge room, home, club, club room 
or social parlor connected with a Lodge. The Grand Exalted 
Ruler, with the consent of the Board of Grand Trustees, may 
suspend the charter of any Lodge for a violation of this sec¬ 
tion. 

Sec. 201. All such homes, clubs, club rooms and social 
parlors shall be closed during the hours of all regular and 
special meetings of the Lodge, and any lodge violating this 
section, under any pretext whatever, shall be liable to a for¬ 
feiture of its charter. 

Sec. 202. No Elk shall be a member of any club or home 
bearing any name, title, or emblem of the Order, which is 
not connected with a subordinate lodge of the Order, and con¬ 
ducted and controlled in accordance with the laws of the 
Order. 


CHAPTER 14. 

Offenses and Penalties. 

Sec. 203. No member shall use the certificate of mem¬ 
bership, or use or expose any name or emblem of the Order 
on labels, signs, cards, periodicals, or business literature of 
any kind, or in any other manner use his relation or connec¬ 
tion with the Order for commercial purposes, or in any busi¬ 
ness transaction; and any member upon due trial, found guilty 
of a violation of the provisions of this section, shall be ex¬ 
pelled from the Order. 

Should any Lodge fail or refuse to prosecute any of its 
members for violation of this section upon being requested 
to do so by the Grand Exalted Ruler, it shall be deemed guilty 
of contumacy, and the Grand Exalted Ruler shall have the 
power to reprimand said Lodge, or may suspend its charter 
by and with the consent of the Rnord of Grand Trustees, 
and report his action to the Grand Lodge at its next meeting 
for approval or disapproval. 

Sec. 204. No lodge or member of this Order shall in¬ 
stitute, establish, begin or maintain the publication of any 
magazine, newspaper or other periodical devoted to the inter¬ 
ests of Elkdom, or purporting to be an Elk publication, in 
whole or part, without first securing the sanction of the Grand 
Lodge. Any lodge or person desiring to establish any such 
publication, as herein described, must apply to the Grand 
Lodge for a permit before publishing the initial number. The 
said application must contain full information as to the title, 


62 


CONSTITUTION AND STATUTES 


size, periodicity of issue, editors and publishers and price 
of the same. The Grand Lodge reserves the right to revoke 
such permits. Any lodge or person violating this section shall 
be punished by expulsion upon due trial and conviction, as 
provided by statute. 

Sec. 205. Any Elk who shall wilfully make an unjustifi¬ 
able and untruthful charge against a brother, shall be subject 
to charges and trial, and upon a conviction of maliciously 
presenting false accusations, shall be expelled. 

Sec. 206. Offenses which subject the individual offender 
to trial and punishment, are— 

1. Offenses commonly designated as crimes, felonies or 
misdemeanors, whether against statutory or common law; 

2. Offenses against the moral law, not punishable as 
crimes, such as deceit, misrepresentation, or fraud; 

3. Offenses against the Constitution or laws of the 
Order, or the by-laws of his subordinate lodge, including all 
offenses styled in the Constitution and Statutes as con¬ 
tumacy; 

4. Offenses generally, which involve violation of his ob¬ 
ligation as an Elk. 

Sec. 207. Any member who shall have made any mis¬ 
representation to the Lodge in which he has been initiated or 
admitted, or to a committe of investigation appointed by such 
Lodge, or used any concealment 'or deceit in relation to his 
eligibility for initiation or admission, or who shall aid and 
abet another in so doing, shall be guilty of an offense, and 
upon trial and conviction, shall be punished by expulsion. 
In the event that it shall appear after investigation by the 
Grand Exalted Ruler, that a Lodge has knowingly been a 
party to such fraud or deceit, the charter of such Lodge shall 
forthwith be suspended by the Grand Exalted Ruler, by and 
with the consent of the Board of Grand Trustees, which fact 
shall be reported to the next Grand Lodge for its action. 

Sec. 208. A member who shall refuse to obey any sum¬ 
mons issued by any competent authority of the Order, shall be 
deemed guilty of an offense, and shall be subject to punish¬ 
ment. 

Sec. 209. Lodges and members thereof are prohibited 
from soliciting aid from sister Lodges or members thereof by 
the sale of tickets, or otherwise. A violation of this provision 
shall be an act of contumacy and punished accordingly. This 
section shall not apply to such solicitations as may be made 
by or through the Grand Exalted Ruler. 


BENEVOLENT AND PROTECTIVE ORDER OF ELKS. 63 

Sec. 210. All Lodges are prohibited from giving, in any 
way, or being connected with, or a party to, or interested in 
the giving of, street fairs or street carnivals, and are prohib¬ 
ited from giving, or being connected with, or a party to the 
giving of, any shows or exhibitions of an immodest or im¬ 
moral character, or that would offend the tastes or sensibil¬ 
ities of refined ladies and gentlemen. 

Ses. 211. The penalties, except where specifically fixed, 
which may be imposed upon an individual offender, shall be: 

a. Reprimand or censure in open Lodge; 

b. Suspension for a definite time; 

c. Expulsion. 

Sec. 212. The penalties which may be L posed upon a 
Lodge are: 

a. Fines, where expressly provided for by statute; 

b. Reprimand or censure; 

c. Suspension of its charter until the next session of the 
Grand Lodge; 

d. Forfeiture of its charter, which may be declared by 
the Grand Lodge upon a conviction by the Grand Forum or 
upon recommendation of the Grand Exalted Ruler. 

Sec. 213. The Grand Lodge and the Grand Forum shall 
have power to impose the penalties provided for any offense. 

The Grand Forum shall have power to punish for con¬ 
tempt by suspension, to continue not longer than until the 
next Grand Lodge session. 

Sec. 214. Any Lodge which shall print or write, or cause 
or permit to be printed or written, for its own use, or other 
use, any of the secret work of the Order, shall be guilty of 
contumacy, and upon conviction thereof by the Grand Forum 
may have its charter forfeited by the Grand Lodge. Any 
member who shall commit such offense, shall, upon convic¬ 
tion thereof be expelled from the Order. 

Sec. 215. No Elk shall organize or become a member of 
any society or organization limiting its membership to Elks, 
which is not expressly authorized by the Constitution or 
Statutes of the Order. Any Elk organizing or becoming a 
member of any such organization, or society, shall, upon con¬ 
viction thereof, be expelled from the Order. 

Nothing herein contained, however, shall prevent the 
members of Lodges in the various states from holding Re¬ 
unions, which shall be open to all Elks in good standing; pro¬ 
vided, however, that they shall not, in any manner, assume 


64 


CONSTITUTION AND STATUTES 


any of the functions or powers of government; or, in any 
manner, attempt to influence or control, by indorsement or 
otherwise, the legislation of the Grand Lodge, or the election 
of its officers, or any other matter involving the policy of the 
Order. 


CHAPTER 15. 

Memorials. 

Sec. 216. The first Sunday in December of each year, is 
dedicated as a day on which shall be commemorated by every 
Lodge of Elks in sacred session the memories of departed 
brothers, and shall be known as “Elks’ Memorial Day.” It 
shall be incumbent upon every Lodge to hold such services 
upon that, and upon no other day. 

Sec. 217. Funeral services of a brother shall be known 
as a “Lodge of Sorrow”. 

Sec. 218. It shall be the duty of every Lodge of Elks 
with reasonable diligence to erect and maintain a Memorial 
Tablet on the walls of its Lodge room, upon which shall in¬ 
scribed the names of all departed Brothers whose names were 
upo'n the rolls of the Lodge as members thereof at the time 
of their decease, and such other inscriptions as the Lodge may 
deem proper. Provided, also, that if any officer of the Lodge 
should die during his term of office, the name of such officer 
may be inscribed on said Memorial Tablet as a Past Officer 
of the station that he was filling at the time of his death, 
ceedings and business shall be observed: 

CHAPTER 16. 

Sec. 219. The foregoing statutes shall be in force and 
effect on and after September 1, 1907, and all laws o stat¬ 
utes heretofore enacted by the Grand Lodge shall stand re¬ 
pealed on said day; provided, however, that the right to 
proceed against any Lodge or member for violation of 
existing laws, or the right of defense shall not be impaired 
or affected by such repeal; and all prosecutions and pro¬ 
ceedings pending on September 1 , 1907, shall ipso facto be 
transferred to the tribunals provided for under the foregoing 
Statutes and the Constitution of the Order. 


BENEVOLENT AND PROTECTIVE ORDER OF ELKS. 


RULES AND ORDER OF BUSINESS. 


• I. At sound of the gavel there shall be a general silenea 
and any member disobeying shall be subject to reprimand. 

II. No member shall, if objection is made, be allowed 
to speak more than once on the same question, if thereby he 
may prevent others, who have not yet spoken, from having 
the opportunity to do so. 

III. Members in voting shall do so by raising their right 
hand, unless a ballot be taken or the roll called. 

IV. On the call of twenty-five members of the Grand 
Lodge the yeas and nays on any question shall be taken and 
entered upon the journal. 

V. When a question has been indefinitely postponed, its 
subject matter shall not be presented again, in any form, 
earlier than the next annual session. 

VI. Members must be clothed in appropriate regalia 
when the Grand Lodge is in session. 

VII. The presiding officer shall enforce order and de¬ 
corum, and decide all questions of order without debate, sub¬ 
ject to an appeal by two members of the Grand Lodge. 

VIII. Every member who desires to speak shall rise and 
remain standing, address the presiding officer properly, and 
wait until recognized before speaking. 

IX. Every proposition offered for consideration shall be 
in writing, except subsidiary motions. 

X. Standing or special committees shall not sit while the 
Grand Lodge is in session, unless authorized to do so. 

XI. No member shall retire from the Grand Lodge 
room during the session without first having received per¬ 
mission from the Grand Exalted Ruler or the Grand Es¬ 
teemed Leading Knight. And no recess for a longer period 
than one hour shall be taken until after the address of the 
Grand Exalted Ruler and the reports of the Grand Secretary 
and Grand Treasurer have been presented and referred; and 
said reports must be printed and distributed to the members 
of the Grand Lodge. 

XII. At the annual sesion the following order of pro¬ 
ceedings snd business shall be observed: 



66 


CONSTITUTION AND STATUTES 


“a. Opening ceremonies. 

“b. Report of the Committee on Returns and Creden¬ 
tials. 

“c. Adoption without reading of roll call and minutes of 
previous session as printed, unless objection of fact be made. 

“d. The printed address of the Grand Exalted Ruler, 
which shall not be read, but if desired by the Grand Exalted 
Ruler, reference may be made to the pages he particularly 
desires attention called to, and reference without motion, of 
address, to Committee on Distribution, reports of Grand Sec¬ 
retary, Grand Treasurer and Grand Trustees to be referred 
to same committee without motion. 

“e. Election of officers. 

“f. Presentation of resolutions, memorials, petitions, 
communications, amendments, etc., without reading, to be 
placed with the Grand Exalted Ruler for reference to the 
various committees. 

“g. Special order. 

“h. Reports of Standing and Special Committees. 

“i. Installation of officers. 

“j. Miscellaneous business and closing of the Grand 
Lodge.” 

XIII. These Rules of Order shall not be suspended at 
any time except by a two-thirds vote. 

XIV. The Grand Lodge may, at any time, by a three- 
fourths vote, go into executive session, during which all per¬ 
sons not members of the Grand Lodge shall be excluded. 

XV. All parliamentary practice in conducting the busi¬ 
ness of the Grand Lodge, not herein specially provided for, 
shall follow the rules of “Robert’s Manual.” 

XVI. All former Rules of Order of the Grand Lodge, 
inconsistent herewith, are hereby repealed. 


BENEVOLENT AND PROTECTIVE ORDER OF ELKS. 


67 


APPENDIX 

FORMS. 

APPLICATION FOR ADMISSION TO B. P. O. ELKS’ 
NATIONAL HOME. 


Bro. 


190.. 


Secretary... .Lodge, 

No.B. P. O. Elks, 

Dear Sir and Brother: 

I hereby make application for admission as a resident of 
the B. P. O. Elks’ National Home, and submit the following 
statement as required by the Grand Lodge regulations: 

My age is.years. 


I was born in.on the.day of 

., 190.. 

My physical condition is. 

I am able to attend to my daily wants without assistance, 
and am not suffering from any chronic, infectious, or contag¬ 
ious disease. 

I have been a member of the Benevolent and Protective 

Order of Elks in good standing for.continuous 

years immediately prior to the date of this application. I am 
unable to earn a living and have no means of support. 

Yours fraternally, 


(Signature of Applicant.) 


(Address.) 

The above application was received by.Lodge, 

No.B. P. O. Elks, at a regular session of the Lodge 

held on the .day of .190..; and 

was referred to a committee of three members of the Lodge, 
viz., Bros. 

and.-.for investigation and 

report at the next regular session. The Secretary was di¬ 
rected to secure from Dr... 

a reputable physician, certified answers to the questions asked 






















68 


CONSTITUTION AND STATUTES 


on the accompanying blank as to applicant’s physical condi¬ 
tion. 

Dated. 

.E. R. 

.Sec’y. 

(Lodge Seal.) .Lodge 

No.B. P. O. Elks. 


PHYSICIAN’S CERTIFICATE. 


..190.. 

Secretary.Lodge, 

No.... .......B. P. O. Elks, 

Dear Sir:— 

I have this day examined.... 

..., and in reply to the following questions 

will state: 

Age of Applicant?.Height?.Weight? 

.His mental condition is. 

Does applicant suffer from epilepsy, cancer, phthisis, scrofula, 
or any incurable or chronic disease? 

Answer. 

Has applicant any infectious or contagious disease? 

Answer. 

Is applicant deformed, maimed, or in any way unable to attend 
to his own daily personal wants? 

Answer.. 

State your opinion of applicant’s general health from your 
examination? 

Answer.. 

Did you discover any symptoms, which would lead you to 
believe that he is suffering from a chronic, infectious, or con¬ 
tagious disease? 

Answer. 

I hereby certify that this examination was made by me, 
and that the answers are true and correct to the best of my 
knowledge and belief. 

.M. D. 


19 


(Address) 
























BENEVOLENT AND PROTECTIVE ORDER OF ELKS. 


69 


Bro. 

Secretary.Lodge, 

No.B. P. O. Elks. 

Dear Sir and Brother: 

The committee appointed to investigate the application 
of Bro...for ad¬ 

mission to the Elks’ National Home, begs leave to report 
that it has made inquiry into the. merits of the application, 

and has carefully examined the report of Dr. 

Your committee finds that the application is in accordance 
with the rules governing admission to the Home; that the 
applicant is eligible to become a resident of the Home, and is 
in indigent circumstances, and therefore recommends that the 
Lodge approve the application. 


Committee. 

At a regular session of.Lodge No. 

B. P. O. Elks, the matter of the application of. 

.for admission to the Elks’ National Home, 

was taken up by the Lodge. Dr. 

certified answers to questions as to the applicant’s physical 
condition, and the report of the committee appointed to in¬ 
vestigate said application was read to the Lodge; and upon 
motion duly made and seconded, the report of said committee 
was adopted, and the application approved. 

And upon motion duly made, seconded and adopted, the 
Exalted Ruler and Secretary of said Lodge were directed to 
pay for the transportation and all other expenses of said 

Bro.... .going to or returning from 

said Home, and should the said Bro. 

die, while a resident of the Home, to defray all funeral ex¬ 
penses; and to certify that the said Bro. 

became a member of this Lodge on the.day of 

.1., and has been a member of this 

Lodge in good standing for...continuous years imme¬ 

diately prior to making this application. ' 

Threfore, we, the undersigned, do hereby enter into said 

agreement as above set forth, on behalf of.Lodge No. 

.B. P. O. Elks, and do hereby certify that the said 

Bro.has been a member, of the Order 






















70 


CONSTITUTION AND STATUTES 


for the number of years above stated, and is now in good 
standing in this Lodge. 

Dated. 


(Lodge Seal.) 


190. 

.E. R. 

.Sec’y. 

.Lodge 

No.,.B. P. O. Elks. 


FORM OF APPLICATION FOR DISPENSATION. 

To the Grand Exalted Ruler of the Benevolent and Protec¬ 
tive Order of Elks of the U. S. A.: 

The undersigned, being Elks in good standing, re¬ 
spectfully represent: That they are desirous of forming a 

new Lodge in the City of.State of. 

to be named.Lodge. They therefore pray for 

a dispensation to enable them to assemble as a regular Lodge, 
and to discharge the duties thereof according to the estab¬ 
lished forms, and under the Constitution and Statutes of the 
Order. 


Name. 


Lodge. 


Residence. 




















BENEVOLENT AND PROTECTIVE ORDER OF ELKS. 


FORM OF PETITION FOR DISPENSATION. 


To the Grand Exalted Ruler of the Benevolent and Protective 

Order of Elks of the United States of America: 

We, the undersigned, citizens of the State of. 

.and the City of. 

., having been informed of the objects 

of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and being 
desirous of becoming members thereof, respectfully petition 
for a dispensation to organize a Lodge of Elks. 

We each represent that we are now bodily and mentally 
in good health; are believers in the existence of a Supreme 
Being; have never been suspended or expelled from any Lodge 
of Elks, and have never been rejected for membership in any 
Lodge of Elks. We each further represent that we belong to 
one of the following classes of persons, to wit: 

1. Members in good standing of Lodges now in exis¬ 
tence; or 

2. Residents of the jurisdiction of the city for which 
dispensation is asked, for at least two years last past. 


Name 


Age 


Residence 


Length of 
Residence 


Occupation 


If an Elk 
of what 
Lodge 



























72 


CONSTITUTION AND STATUTES 


FORM OF DISPENSATION. 

Grand Lodge, B. P. O. Elks, of the U. S. of America. 

Charity, Justice, Brotherly Love, Fidelity. 

To Whom It May Concern: 

Know Ye, that I, .. ..... 

Grand Exalted Ruler of the Benevolent and Protective Order 
of Elks of the United States of America, by virtue of the 
power conferred upon me by the Constitution and Laws of 
the Order, and upon the application of Brothers. 


...have upon this. day of 

. 190.., granted a dispensation for a 

Lodge, to be known as.Lodge No., 

and to hold its sessions in the City of.State of 


Accordingly, I do hereby authorize and empower the 
above named upright and well beloved Elks, and their duly 
initiated associates and successors, to constitute said Lodge 
under the name above stated, and do confer upon them all 
the rights and privileges guaranteed to a Subordinate Lodge 
by the Constitution and Laws of the Order. 


Grand Exalted Ruler. 

(Seal.) % 

Attest. 

Grand Secretary. 


FORM OF APPLICATION FOR CHARTER. 

To the Grand Lodge of the Benevolent and Protective Order 
of Elks of the United States of America: 

.Lodge No., of the 

Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks,- of the United 
States of America, which is at present working under a Dis¬ 
pensation granted by.Grand 

Exalted Ruler, on the.day of.19.., 

respectfully represents that all the rules, regulations and re¬ 
quirements of the Grand Lodge have been complied with; 
that said Lodge now has.members in good stand¬ 

ing; that the regulation fee of $*0.00 has been remitted to 
the Grand Secretary, and that the Lodge has held regular 

I 




















BENEVOLENT AND PROTECTIVE ORDER OF ELKS. 73 

meetings as prescribed by law, and does now pray for a 
charter and for authority to hold its sessions in the city of 


Exalted Ruler Secretary. 

(Such Lodges shall furnish such additional information 
as may be required by the Grand Lodge or Committee on 
Charters.) 


FORM OF CHARTER. 


Grand Lodge B. P. O. Elks of the U. S. of America. 

Charity Justice Brotherly Love Fidelity. 

To Who It May Concern: 

Know Ye That the Grand Lodge of the Benevolent and 
Protective Order of Elks of the United States of America, at 

a regular session held on the.day of. 

upon the application of Brothers. 

granted a charter for a Lodge to be known as. 

Lodge No. and to hold its sessions in the city of 

.State of.. 

Accordingly, we, by authority of the Grand Lodge do 
hereby authorize and empower the above named upright and 
well-beloved Elks, and their duly initiated associates and suc¬ 
cessors, to constitute said Lodge under the name above 
stated and do confer upon them all the rights and privileges 
guaranteed to a Subordinate Lodge by the Constitution and 
Laws of the Order. 


(Seal) 

Attest: 


Grand Exalted Ruler. 


Grand Secretary. 

(In filling the blanks in the above form, the names of the 
officers of the Subordinate Lodge shall appear.) 















74 


CONSTITUTION AND STATUTES 


FORM OF REQUEST FOR INITIATION BY SISTER 

LODGE. 

....Lodge No., Benevolent and 

Protective Order of the United States of America. 

.190.. 

To.Lodge No., B. P. O. Elks, Greeting: 

Mr.was regularly elected to mem¬ 
bership in this Lodge at a regular session held on the. 

day of.„., 190.., and is entitled to initiation, 

and we hereby request.Lodge No. 

to initiate him for and on behalf of this Lodge. 


Exalted Ruler. 


Secretary 

(Seal.) 


The following statement must be signed by applicant after 
he is initiated: 

This is to Certify that I, .. having 

been regularly elected a member of.Lodge 

No., B. P. O. Elks, and initiated for said Lodge 

by.Lodge No., do hereby agree to 

support, maintain and abide by the Constitution and laws of 
the Grand Lodge of the Benevolent and Protective Order of 
Elks of the United States of America, and the By-Laws of 
.Lodge No. 


(Signature of initiate.) 

Note—The Secretary of the initiating Lodge must for¬ 
ward the above agreement, duly signed, at once to the Lodge 
for whom applicant is initiated. 
























BENEVOLENT AND PROTECTIVE ORDER OF ELKS. 


75 


APPLICATION FOR MEMBERSHIP. 


In.Lodge No. 

B. P. O. ELKS 

Of the United States of America. 

. 100 .. 

Brother.under the obligation of the 

Order, proposes for membership in this Lodge: 

Mr. 

Occupation ... 

Born.Town of.County of. 

State of.on the.day of.year. 

Residence .. 

(and has resided within the jurisdiction of this Lodge for 
six months immediately preceding the date of this ap¬ 
plication.) 

Business Address.:. 

References, (To members of the Order). 


Signature of Proposer 


QUESTIONS TO BE ANSWERED BY APPLICANT. 

1. Mr.do you believe in the existence 

Supreme Being? 

Answer. 

2. Are you a citizen of the United States of America? 

Answer..... .... . 

3. Are you willing to assume an obligation that will not con¬ 

flict with your duties to yourself, or family, or your 
religious or political opinions? 

Answer.. 

4 Do you anticipate any pecuniary benefits by becoming a 
member of this Order? 

Answ r er. 

5. Do you know of any physical ailment that might cause 

you to become a burden upon this Order? 

Answer. 

6. Have you ever been proposed for membership in any 

Lodge of this Order, and if so with what result? 
Answer.. 
































76 


CONSTITUTION AND STATUTES 


7. Have you been a bona fide resident within the jurisdiction 

of this Lodge, for the period of six months imme¬ 
diately preceding the date of this application? 

Answer. 

8. Where did you last reside prior to making your residence 

within the jurisdiction of this Lodge? 

Answer. 

Signature of Applicant. 

(In his own handwriting.) 

The above blank must be fully filled out by the Proposer, 

and Applicant, and accompanied by an application fee of. 

.dollars, or it will not be considered. . Balance 

of initiation fee.dollars, and proportionate 

semi-annual dues up to next April 1st—October 1st, (strike 
out the date not needed), must BOTH be paid at the time of 
initiation. 


APPLICATION OF 

No. 

Mr. 

Proposed ... 

Elected . 

Rejected . 

Initiated . 


_190.. 

_190.. 

-190.. 

_190.. 

Secretary 


Bro. 

Bro. 


COMMITTEE ON INVESTIGATION. 

Chairman. 


Bro. 

The undersigned Committee of Investigation have con¬ 
scientiously investigated this application and report. 

favorable on the name of Mr. 

Bro. 

Bro. 

Bro. 


Committee. 























BENEVOLENT AND PROTECTIVE ORDER OF ELKS. 


77 


FORM OF MEMBERSHIP CARD. 


No.... 

This is to certify that Bro.has paid 

dues to.19...., and at the date of issuing 

this card was in good standing in said Lodge. 

Dated.day of.19.... 

Member’s 

No. .E. R. 

.Sec’y 

1907-8. 

(Not valid unless signed.) 

Life members shall be entitled to a life membership card, 
which shall be in the following form: 


LIFE MEMBERSHIP CARD. 


Bro. 
is a 


No 


...Lodge No.B. P. O. Elks. 

This is to certify that 


Life Member in said Lodge, having become so on the 
.day of. 

. .E. R. 

.Sec’y 




















78 


CONSTITUTION AND STATUTES 


ABSOLUTE DIMIT. 

.Lodge No. 

BENEVOLENT AND PROTECTIVE ORDER OF ELKS. 

.190.. 

To All Devout Elks, Greeting: 

.Was a brother in good standing 

of.Lodge No.. B. P. O. Elks. 

and all of his indebtedness is paid up to date, as required by 
our laws. 

Upon his own application this card has been granted him 

that he may resign his membership in.Lodge 

No.B. P. O. Elks. 

.Exalted Ruler. 

[Seal.] 

.Secretary. 


TRANSFER DIMIT. 

.Lodge No. 

BENEVOLENT AND PROTECTIVE ORDER OF ELKS. 

.190.. 

To All Devout Elks, Greeting: 

.is a brother in good standing 

of...Lodge No., B. P. O. Elks. 

Upon his own application this card has been granted him 

that he may apply for membership in.Lodge 

No.B. P. O. Elks, within thirty days; should he fail 

to join said Lodge, this card is void, and he again becomes a 

member of this Lodge. 

.Exalted Ruler. 

[Seal:] 

............. Secretary. 






















INDEX 


I N DEX 


A 


Sec. 

Absence from Country,— 

In Service of Government Not Counted Against 
Grand Lodge Member. S 

Accused,— 

(See Under Judicial Assembly.) 


Adoption of Constitution,— 

Provision tor when it goes into effect. 3 

Affiliation,— 

Method of. 183 

Fees for. 184 

Amendment to Constitution.— 

How presented and vote required. 1 

How submitted to Subordinate Lodge and vote re¬ 
quired . 1 

Subordinate Lodge penalized for failure to vote. 2 

Submitted to Judiciary Committee. 41 

Amendment to Statutes,— 

How Proposed. 12 

Must be submitted to Judiciary Committee. 41 

Annual Dues. 170 

Annual Elections,— 

Of Grand Lodge Officers. 1 

Of Subordinate Lodge Officers.. 108 

(See also under election.) 

Annual Reports,— 

Of Grand Exalted Ruler. 7 

Of Grand Secretary. 29 

Of Grand Treasurer. 31 

Of Grand Trustees. 38 

Of Elks’ National Home.' 38 

Of Subordinate Lodges. 30 

130 


Page 


5 


12 


57 

57 


12 

12 

12 

23 


f, 

23 

54 


13 

33 


5 

18 

19 
22 
22 
*9 
45 






















8o 


INDEX 


Annual Session,— 

Of Grand Lodge. 

(See under Grand Lodge Meetings.) 
Appeals,— 

Method of making same prescribed... 


Sec. 


83 

87 


Applications for Membership,— 

Restricted to White Male Adult Citizens of United 


States . 4 

136 

Must be made to lodge having jurisdiction. 137 

Lodge cannot waive jurisdiction. 138 

Physical examination. 139 

Method of making application prescribed. 140 

Grand Exalted Ruler may make exception. 141 

Rejected applicant may make another. 142 

Proceedings of action on application. 144 

Failure to appear for initiation forfeits rights. 144 

Applicant to be balloted on separately. 145 

Regarding ballot box. 146 

New ballot may be ordered. 147 

Application may be withdrawn. 152 

Fee returned to rejected applicant. 154 

Member may challenge candidate, etc. 157 

Misrepresentation or fraud punished. 207 

Forms of Application.Appendix 

Questions to be answered. 

Committee on Investigation. 

Membership and Life Cards. 


Appointive Officers,— 

In Grand Lodge. 5 

In Subordinate Lodges. 107 


Appropriations,— 

By Grand Lodge. 15 

“Budget” for. 17 

Arrears,— 

Member in, cannot vote at election. 109 

Member may be stricken from roll. 171 

(See also re-instatement.) 


Assistance,— 

(See under Relief.) 

Auditing Accounts,— 

(See Committee on.) 

Auxiliaries and Other Adjuncts Prohibited. 19 


Page 


32 

33 


XI 

48 

48 

48 

48 

48 

48 

49 
49 

49 
.so 

50 

50 

51 
5i 
5i 
62 

75 

75 

76 

77 


8 

38 


7 

21 


39 

54 


7 


16 7 


Ayes and Noes,— 

How demanded 































INDEX 81 

B 

Sec. Page 

Ballot in Grand Lodge.,. 3 13 

Balloting for Candidates,— 

Three Black Balls required to reject. 144 49 

Requirements of Ballot Box. 146 50 

New Ballot may he ordered. 147 50 

Ballot must be inviolate. 156 51 


(See also under Applications for Membership.) 

Blanks, Forms of,— 

See Appendix. 


Blanket Ballots,— 

Grand Lodge Election . 3 13 

Blanks,— 

For Grand Lodge and Subordinate Lodges, Grand 

Secretary to furnish. 29 18 

Books,— 

Required to be kept by Subordinate Lodges. 105 37 

“Budget,”— 

Of Appropriations for Grand Lodge. 37 - 21 

By-Laws of Subordinate Lodges,— 

Chairman of Judiciary Committee to Pass on. 166 53 

41 23 

Statute Requiring. 105 37 

Authority of Subordinate Lodges. 165 53 


C 


Candidates,— 

(See under Balloting, Application for Membership and Initiation.) 


Card, Membership,— 

(See Membership Card.) 

Carnivals, Street Fairs, etc., Forbidden. 210 63 

Certificates of Grand Lodge Members. 4 13 

Charges Against Grand Lodge Members,— 

How Presented. 13 14 

Vote necessary to convict. 12 15 

Right of Accused to be heard. 12 15 

Charges Against Subordinate Lodges Members,— 

(See Judicial Assembly.) 

Charity Funds,— 

Grand Lodge is Trustee of. .... 9 6 

Emergency Charity Fund— (See Funds). 




















82 


INDEX 


Grand Lodge to Provide for issuing. 9 

Manner of Suspension. 9 

Grand Exalted Ruler can suspend. 10 

Of Suspended Lodges. 4 

Proceedings to secure. 97 

Surrender of, how to proceed. 131 

Fee for Charter . Q7a 

Forfeiture, Causes for.... 1 . 132 


Form of Charter .Appendix 

(See also Committee on Charters.) 

Charter Members Defined. 101 

Clubs and Homes,— 

Lodge may maintain. 195 

Restricted to city of Lodge. 196 

Members have equal rights. 197 

Membership limited to Elks. 197 

May be incorporated. 198 

Management if not incorporated. 19^ 

Gambling prohibited. 200 

Must be closed during meeting. 201 

Elk Club other than that of Lodge prohibited. 202 

Color of Membership Cards,— 

To be changed annually. 190 

Commercialism Defined,— 

Punishment for. 203 

Committee on Auditing Accounts,— 

Duties of. 42 

Committee on Credentials,— 

Duties of. 45 

Committee on Charters,— 

Duties of. 43 

Committee on Judiciary,— 

Powers and duties of. 41 


Chairman to pass on By-Laws of Subordinatt Lodges 166 

41 

Chairman’s Authority over Elks’ National Home.... 58 


Committee on Work and Ritual,— 

Duties of. 44 

Complaints.— 

(See under Judicial Assemblies.) 

Conduct Unbecoming an Elk. 11 

Exalted Ruler May Suspend for. 167 

During Social Session. 194 


Page 

6 

6 

8 

12 

35 

46 

35 

46 

72 

73 


36 


60 

60 

60 

60 

60 

60 

61 
61 
61 


58 


61 


23 


24 


23 


23 

53 

23 

26 


24 


14 

54 

60 
































INDEX 


83 


Sec. 


Constitution,— 

Declared part of the supreme law. 1 

Provision for its adoption and when becomts effective 3 

General Provisions of. 1 

How Amended. 1 

Contempt,— 

Grand Forum has power. 213 

Conviction of Crime,— 

Grounds for Expulsion. 86 


Credentials,— 

(See under Committee on, and under Members.) 


Death,— 

Of Grand Exalted Ruler 


D 


3 


Decorum,— 

True, Gentlemanly, requirtd at social sessions. 194 

Degrees of Membership Prohibited. 19 

Departments of Government of Grand Lodge,— 

Provision defining same. 1 

Legislative. 1 

Executive . 1 

Judicial . 1 

Dimits,— 

Two classes. 180 

When may be granted. 181 

Absolute Dimit. 182 

Transfer Dimit. 183 

Method of Affiliation. 184 

Forms of.Appendix 


Dispensations,— 

Grand Lodge to provide for issuing same; also man¬ 


ner of suspension. 9 

How granted. 8 

Grand Exalted Ruler has power to grant. 94 

8 

Grand Exalted Ruler can suspend. 10 

Of Suspended Lodge. 4 

Procedure to secure. 94 

Must be at hand when new lodge is instituted. 99 

Proceedings necessary to surrender. 131 

Fee for Dispensation. 97 a 

Forfeiture of, causes for. 132 

Form of Petition for.Appendix 

Form of Dispensation.Appendix 


Dissolved Lodges,— 

(See under Suspended Lodge#.) 


Page 

3 

12 

11 

12 


63 


32 


7 


60 


7 


3 

3 

7 

9 


56 

56 

56 

57 
57 
78 


6 

8 

34 

8 

8 

12 

34 
36 
46 

35 
46 

71 

72 
































8 4 


INDEX 


District Deputies,— 

To be appointed by Grand Exalted Ruler. 9 

Special District Deputy, how appointed 

Districts to be defined by Grand Trustees. 46 

Is Representation of Grand Exalted Ruler. 47 

Duties Defined. 47 

Expenses on official business to be paid. 47 

Duty at Installation of Subordinate Lodge Officers... 

Duty of An Elk,— 

To Report member convicted of crime. 

E 

Election Committee of Grand Lodge. 7 

Election of Officers,— 

Of Grand Lodge. 1 

(See also under Grand Lodge.) 

Of Subordinate Lodge. 108 

Eligibility,— ; “ _ ' 

To Grand Lodge office. 3 4 

To Membership Grand Lodge and Subordinate Lodge, (See under 
Membership.) 

Elk,— 


Sec. 

Page 

9 

8 

9 

8 

46 

24 

47 

24 

47 

24 

47 

24 

110 

39 

86 

32 

7 

14 

1-5 

13 

1 

13 

108 

_ 38 


Member in good standing so termed. 185 

Unaffiliated Defined. 187 

(See also under Member and Membership.) 


58 

58 


Elk Publications,— 

Requirements of . 204 

Elk Societies,— 

Other than Subordinate Lodges prohibited. 215 

Elks’ Clubs and Homes,— 

(See under head Clubs and Homes.) 

Elks’ Memorial Day. 216 

Elks’ National Home,— 

Revenue provided for. 15 

Supervision and Management of, vested in Grand 

Trustees . 58 

Superintendent and other employes. 58 

Rules and Regulations to be published. 58 

Annual report to be made. 38 

Nature of Home. 59 

Rights of Elks to enter. 60 

Eligibility for admission to. 61 

Mode of affiliation and admission. 62 

Duty of Subordinate Lodges. 63 

Grand Trustees to pass on applications. 64 

Form of Application.Appendix 

Form of Physicians’ Certificate.Appendix 

Form Order of Subordinate Lodge.Appendix 


61 


63 


64 


7 


27 

27 

27 
22 

28 
28 
28 
28 

28 

29 

67 

68 
69 
































INDEX 


85 


Emblems of Order,— 

To be prescribed by Grand Lodge. 9 

Emergency Charity Fund,— 

(See Funds.) 


Expelled Member,— 

May apply for restoration. 158 

May apply to Grand Lodge for pardon. 159 

Not regarded as an Elk. 186 

Executive Department,— 

Power vested in Grand Exalted Ruler. 1 


Executive Powers,— 

(See under head, Power and Authority.) 

Expenses,— 

Of Representatives, Grand Exalted Ruler, District 
Deputies, Grand Lodge officers, Members of Com¬ 
mittees, etc. (See under Individual Headings.) 

Expulsion of Members,— 

Grand Lodge has power. S 


Page 

6 


52 

•52 

58 


7 


5 


False Charges,— 

Punishment for 


F 


205 


Fees,— 

Of membership in Subordinate Lodge. 

Of Dispensation. 

Of Charter.. 

Of affiliation... 

Of Initiation. 

Of members in arrears and of Suspended Lodges (See 
under their heads, also under Members.) 


6 


97a 

97a 


184 

15J 


Finance Committee. 


125 


Forfeiture of Charter,— 
Causes for. 


132 


Forms of Blanks,— 

(See Appendix.) 


Funds of Grand Lodge,— 

How deposited. 31 

Classification, etc. (General Reserve and Emergency 

Charity) . 50 

(See also under Subordinate Lodges.) 


Fraud,— 

By Member or Lodge punished. 


207 


62 


n 

35 

35 

57 

5i 


43 


46 


19 

25 


62 



















86 


INDEX 


G 

Sec. 

Gambling Prohibited in Elks’ Clubs. 200 

General Fund,— 

(See Funds.) 

General Provisions,— 

Of Constitution . 1 

Of Statutes . 54 

Government,— 

Departments of. 1 

GRAND LODGE 

Grand Lodge— 

WhaT constitutes membership of. 1 

Legislative power—vested in. 1 

Shall fix time and place of annual meeting. 6 

Its officers, their terms of office, committees, etc. 2 
Representatives to, how elected, term of office, etc.. 4 

Those eligible to hold office. 3 

Requirements of members to retain membership. 5 

Quorum of. 7 

Seal of. 2 

Has power to create officers. 2 

Is judge of election and qualification of members... 8 

Has power to suspend or expel. 8 

Rights and Powers of defined. 9 

To define duties of officers and committees. 9 

To define offenses and prescribe penalties....... 9 

To provide revenue, conlro property and ap¬ 
propriate funds_ 9 

213 

To act as Trustee and distribute funds for char¬ 
itable purposes. 9 

To provide for Institution of Subordinate Lodges 9 

To issue dispensation and charters. 9 

To suspend or forfeit same. 9 

To enact laws to govern . .. 9 

To provide Ritual. 9 

To prescribe paraphernalia, emblems and jewels.^ 9 

To enforce its orders and those of G. E. R. 9 

To enforce decrees of Legislative Department... 9 

To enact all necessary statutes. 9 

To impeach its officers. 10 

Shall fix per capita tax. 15 

Shall keep Journal of Proceedings. 29 

20 

Has Right to Pardon. 7 

Right to Property of Suspended Lodge. 4 

Election (see election of officers). 1 

May Limit Nominating Speeches. 2 

"Budget” of Appropriations. 37 

Method of Application of an Elk for Pardon. 159 

Prohibited from passing retroactive or conflicting laws 3 

Revenues of. 48 

Revenues, to whom payable. 49 

Funds of. 50 

Power over funds.S3-3 


Page 

6i 


n 

27 


3 

3 
5 

4 

4 

4 

5 
5 

11 

4 

5 

5 

6 
6 
6 

6 

63 

6 

6 

6 

6 

6 

6 

6 

6 

6 

6 

6 

7 

18 

7 

10 

12 

13 

13 

21 






































INDEX 


87 


Sec. 


Grand Lodge Meetings— 

Annual . 6 

Special . 6 

Place decided by election. 2 

Method of Election. 7 

3 

Program of and arrangements for in charge of 

Grand Exalted Ruler. 17 

Authority of Grand Exalted Ruler to change time or 
place in case of emergency. 24 

Grand Lodge Members— 

Representatives of Subordinate, how elected, term of 

office, compensation, etc. 4 

Must keep in good standing in their Subordinate Lodge 5 

Requirements to retain membership. 5 

Authority of Grand Lodge over. 8 

Absence in service of country not counted. 5 

Grand Lodge Judge of their election and qualification 8 

Grand Lodge can pardon. 7 

Charges against. 11 

Method of Trial. 12 

Admission Card and Voting Coupon. 4 

Grand Exalted Ruler can suspend. 10 

Grand Lodge Year Defined. 1 


Grand Lodge Committees— 

Standing and Special—How appointed. 18 

1 4 

Enumerated and duties defined. 40 

Judiciary . 41 

Auditing . 42 

Charters . 43 

Work and Ritual. 44 

Credentials . 45 

(See also under each above heading.) 

Expenses paid on official business. 56 

Meetings of prescribed. 55 

Grand Forum— 

How constituted. 2 

Term of Office of members. 2 

Shall prescribe rules of practice and procedure. 72 

8 

Must file written decisions. 9 

Grand Lodge to enforce judgments of. 9 

Grand Exalted Ruler to enforce judgments of. 12 

, Judicial power vested in. 1 

Decisions of Supreme Court of United States bind¬ 
ing on. 1 

Shall have seal. 68 

Method of Procedure before... 69 

Method of appeal to Grand Secretary, Custodian of 

Records, decisions, etc. 67 

9 

Power to impose penalties. 213 

Power to punish for contemp. 218 


Page 

5 

5 

13 

14 
13 

15 

17 


4 

5 
5 
5 
5 
5 

10 

14 

14 

13 

8 

11 


16 

7 

22 

23 
23 

23 

24 
24 

27 

27 

9 

9 

30 

10 

10 

6 

9 

9 

9 

29 

29 

29 

10 

63 

63 








































88 


INDEX 


Sec. Page 


Grand Lodge Membership— 

How constituted and requirements of. 1 3 

(See also under Grand Lodge Members.) 

Grand Justice— 

Nominated by Grand Exalted Ruler. 15 15 

2 9 

Restriction on as Grand Lodge member. 10 10 

Can Stay decisions. 6 10 

Chief Justice Designated. 66 29 

GRAND LODGE OFFICERS 

Grand Lodge Officers— 

Enumerated . 2 4 

Those elective prescribed. 2 4 

Those appointed and how. 2 4 

Power given Grand Exalted Ruler to create other 

officers . 2 4 

Term of office. 2 4 

Eligibility to office defined. 3 4 

Impeachment of. 10 6 

Vote required to impeach. 14 6 

Vacancies, how filled. 5 8 

Grand Exalted Ruler can suspend. 10 8 

Duties and Powers of defined by Grand Lodge. 9 6 

Grand Exalted Ruler has power over, may require 

written report. 6 8 

Election—Special Order first day. 1 13 

Nominations, method of election, etc. (See under head 
Election of Officers.) 

Installation of. 9 14 

Impeachment of. 13 15 

Chair officers constitute Committee on Charity and 

Emergency .... 27 18 

Expenses paid on official business. 56 27 

Election of Officers— 

Special order of first day. 1 13 

Election Committee appointed.•. 1 13 

Nominations, how made. 2 13 

Speeches may be limited. 2 13 

Ballots, how furnished. 3 13 

Voting Coupons. 4 13 

Manner of voting. 5 13 

Closing the ballot. 6 14 

Count of the vote. 7 14 

Vote necessary to elect. 7 14* 

Unanimous vote may be cast. 8 14 

Penalty for illegal voting. 10 14 


Election Committee— 

7 14 

5 13 


1 13 

Grand Exalted Ruler— 

Executive power vested in.. 1 f 

Election and term of office..... f 4 






































INDEX 


89 

Sec. Page 

Oath of office prescribed. 2 7 

In case of vacancy in office. 3 7 

Powers and Duties of defined. 14 15 

, 4 7 

May call Special Session. 23 17 

6 S 

Authority to Appoint District Deputies. 9 8 

May Order Appeal to Grand Forum. 6 10 

Power to appoint Committees. 18 16 

4 7 

Power to fill vacancies in office. 5 8 

Has power to suspend Lodges and Members. 133 47 

10 8 

Grand Lodge to enforce orders of. 9 6 

Power over Subordinate Officers. 16 15 

5 8 

141 48 

Shall make annual report. 7 8 

Power to grant Dispensations. 94 34 

8 8 

Authority to appoint Special Deputies. 9 8 

Can convene S. L. in Special Session - . 11 8 

Duty to enforce orders and judgments of Legislative 

Department . 12 9 

Shall nominate Grand Justices. 15 15 

2 9 

Shall name Election Committee. 1 13 

Shall preside at all Grand Lodge meetings. 14 15 

Has charge of arrangements for Grand Lodge meet¬ 
ings .». 17 15 

Shall have Official Seal. 21 16 

Offices and Secretary. 22 16 

Authority to change meeting place. 24 17 

Duty to visit Lodges. 19 16 

Has the authority when power is not elsewhere vested25 17 

Appeals from, how taken. 26 17 

Chairman of Standing Committee on Charity and 

Emergency . 27 18 

Authority over Elks’ National Home. 58 27 

Grand Esteemed Leading Knight— 

Election and term of office of. 2 4 

Committee on Charity and Emergency. 27 18 

Grand Esteemed Loyal Knight— 

Election and term of office of. 2 4 

Committee on Charity and Emergency. 26 17 

Grand Estemed Lecturing Knight— 

Election and Term of office of. 2 4 

Committee on Charity and Emergency. 27 18 

Grand Treasurer— 

Election and term of office of. 2 4 

Bonds, etc. 31 19 

Method of deposit of funds specified. 31 19 

Required to make Annual Report. 31 19 

Duty of Office defined. 31 19 








































90 


INDEX 


Grand Secretary— 

Election and term of office of. 

To have custody of Decisions, Records, etc. of Grand 
Forum . 

To have custody of Grand Lodge Seal, deeds, etc.... 

To provide Blanket Ballots for Election. 

Bond, required of.•. 

Requirements of, compensation, etc. 

Allowance for Assistants and Expense. 

Keep and print record of Grand Lodge Proceedings.. 

Keep record of Expulsions. 

Prepare Dispensations and Charters. 

Receive all moneys of Grand Lodge. 

Accurate account receipts and expenditures. 

Duties of Officer defined. 

Required to make Annual Report. 

Form for Annual Report required of Subordinate 

Lodge . 

Authority to impose fine on Subordinate Lodge for 
failure to report.. 

Grand Esquire— 

Election and term of office of. 

Duty to distribute ballots at elections. 

Duties of defined... 

Grand Marshal of Parades. 

Grand Tiler— 

Election and Term of office of. 

Duties of. 

Grand Inner Guard— 

Election and term of office of. 

Duties of. 

Grand Chaplain—■ 

Duties of. 

Election and term of office... 

Grand Trustees— 

Term of office prescribed. 

Ineligible to re-election.. 

Must approve call of Special Meeting of Grand Lodge 

Power in suspension of Lodges . 

General powers and duties of defined. 

To submit “Budget” of Appropriations. 

Compute compensation of members attending Grand 

Lodge . 

To define districts. 

To fix price of supplies.. 

To contract for supplies. 

How management and supervision of Elks’ National 

Home . 

Required to make Annual Report. 


Sec. 

Page 

2 

4 

67 

29 

9 

'0 

29 

18 

2 

11 

3 

13 

28 

18 

28 

18 

28 

18 

29 

18 

29 

18 

29 

18 

29 

18 

29 

iS 

29 

18 

29 

18 

130 

45 

130 

46 

2 

4 

3 

13 

33 

21 

33 

21 

'l 

Ct 

4 

32 

20 

2 

4 

34 

21 

35 

‘21 

2 

4 

2 

4 

2 

4 

23 

17 

6 * 

5 

10 

8 

36 

21 

37 

21 

39 

22 

46 

24 

96 

35 

36 

20 

58 

27 

38 

22 





































INDEX 


9 i 


Help- 

See Relief. 

Homes or Clubs— 

(See under Clubs.) 


H 


*, 


Home, Elks National— 

(See Elks’ National Home.) 


Honorary Life Membership— 
How granted. 


Sec. Page 


164 53 


I 


Identification Cards (Ladies’). 

Illegal Voting— 

In Grand Lodge, penalty prescribed. 

Immoral Conduct— 

(See Offenses.) 

Impeachment of Officers— 

Of Grand Lodge, authority given... 

Vote required. 

Of Subordinate Lodges. 

Incorporation— 

Of Subordinate Lodges... 

Of Clubs.. .. 

Initiation— 

When may be had. 

Candidate must pay Initiation Fee. 

Confined to forms and Ritual prescribed by Grand 

Lodge . .. 

Paraphernalia restricted. .. 

Deviations Prohibited. 

Penalty for Deviation or Via’ ^ion. 

Candidate of Sister Lodge ma oe initiated. 

Misrepresentation or fraud tq candidate or Lodge 

punished ... 

Form of Request of Sister Lodge to initiate its 

member . 

Installation of Officers of Grand Lodge. 

Installation of Officers of Subordinate Lodges— 

Duty cf District Deputy. 

Time and method.... 

Insurance and Other Benefit Features Prohibited.. 


190 a 

58 

10 

14 


13 

IS 

10 

6 

13 

15 

14 

6 

112 

39 


162 

53 

198 

57 

148 

50 

153 

5i 

160 

52 

160 

52 

160 

52 

160 

52 

161 

. 53 

207 

62 


7i 

. 9 

14 


47 

24 

110 

39 


7 
























92 


INDEX 


Sec. Page 


Intermediate Forums— 

Provision for. 4 9 

Grand Lodge to enforce judgments of. 9 6 

Grand Exalted Ruler to enforce orders of. 12 9 

Judicial Power vested in. 1 9 

Grand Exalted Ruler can appeal from.,. 6 10 

Grand Justice can stay decision of. 6 10 


J 


Jewels of Order— 

To be prescribed by Grand Lodge. 9 6 

Journal of Proceedings— 

Grand Lodge shall keep and publish. 20 7 

Judicial Assemblies— 

How constituted and jurisdiction of. 74 30 

5 9 

4 9 

Grand Lodge to enforce judgments of. 9 6 

Judicial power vested in. 1 9 

Grand Exalted Ruler can appeal from. 6 10 

Grand Justice can stay decision of. 6 10 

Method of Procedure before. 75 30 

How charges are to be filed. 76 30 

Form of charges. 78 31 

Method of Trial. 83 32 

Secret Ballot on Verdict. 83 32 

Vote Required to Convict. 84 32 

Record of Sentence. 86 32 

Method of Appeal Prescribed. 87 33 

Judicial Department— 

Power vested in the Grand Forum, Intermediate 

Forums and Judicial Assemblies. 1 9 

Grand Forum, its membership, etc. 3 9 

Judicial Assemblies, their jurisdiction, etc. 6 10 

Judicial Power— 

Defined . 1 9 

How vested. 1 9 


Judiciary— 

(See Committee on.) 

Jurisdiction— 

Of Legislative Department. 4 9 

Of Subordinate Lodges. 149 50 

I - 































INDEX 


.93 


L 


Sec. 

Law, The Supreme. 1 

Legislative Department . 1 

Life Membership— 

How granted and fee for. 164 

Member entitled to card, (See under Membership 
Card). 

Form of Card.Appendix 

Lodge— 

Grand, (See under Grand Lodge). 

Intermdiate, (See under Subordinate Lodge). 

Lodge of Sorrow. 217 


Lodge Y ear— 

(See under year.) 


M 


Manila— 

Additional time allowed for serving notice. 77 

Meetings of Grand Lodge— 

(See under Grand Lodge Meetings.) 

Members of Grand Lodge— 

(See under head Grand Lodge Members.) 

Membership, Grand Lodge— 

(See under head Grand Lodge Membership.) 

Members of Subordinate Lodges— 

(See under head Subordinate Lodge Members.) 


Membership, Subordinate Lodge— 

(See under head Membership.) 

Branches or degrees of prohibited. 19 

Membership— 

Limited to White, Male adult citizens. 4 

Membership Card— 

Elk in good standing is entitled to. 190 

Color to be changed annually. 190 

Life members entitled to. 190 

Must be presented to Tiler. 191 

If lost, duplicate to be issued. 151 

Must be presented by Visitor. 192 

Ladies’. 190a 

Form of.Appendix 

Memorial Day. 216 

Memorial Tablets. 211 


Page 

i 

s 

53 

77 


64 


30 


7 

11 


58 

'58 

58 

59 
59 
59 
58 
77 
64 
64 




















94 


INDEX 


Sec. Page 

Minutes of Subordinate Lodg*. 105 37 

Misrepresentation— 

By Member or Lodge punished. 207 62 

N 

Name of Lodge— 

Restricted to that ol city. 9 11 

New Lodges— 

Procedure to secure Dispensation or Charter. 94 34 

Organization, election of officers, etc. 98 36 

Presence of three Elks necessary at institution. 99 36 

Dispensation must be at hand. 99 36 

Nominations— 

In Grand Lodge election. 2 13 

Of place of meeting. 2 13 

Grand Lodge may limit speecnes. 2 13 

Non-Member— 

Permitted at Social Session . 193 ’59 

O 

Oath of Office—- 

Of Grand Exalted Ruler. 2 7 

Object of the Order— 

Preamble ... 3 

Obligation— 

Of Grand Exalted Ruler. 2 7 

Offenses— 

Grand Lodge has Power to define and prescribe pen¬ 
alties . 9 6 

Of Members and Lodges, and Penalties therefor.... 203 61 

Of Individuals defined. 206 62 

Officers-— 

Of Grand Lodge. (See under head Grand Lodge 
Officers.) 

Of Subordinate Lodges. (See under head Subordinate 
Lodge Officers.) 

Official Acts— 

Grand Exalted Ruler to make A^ual Report of. 7 8 

Order of Business— 

Of Grand Lodge. .. 65 

Of Subordinate Lodges. 103 37 

Orphans— 

(See »««der Relief.) 





















INDEX 


P 

See. 

Parades— 

Grand Esquire to be Grand Marshal. 33 

Paraphernalia— 

To l>e prescribed by Grand Lodge. 9 

Must be purchased through Grand Secretary. 160 

(See also Deviations.) 

Pardon— 

Grand Lodge has power to. 7 

Method of application for. 159 

Past Exalted Ruler— 

Eligible to election as representative to Grand Lodge. 4 
Penalties— 

That may be imposed. 211 

Per Capita Tax. 48 

,5 

Place of Meeting of Grand Lodge— 

(See under head Grand Lodge Meetings.) 

Point of Order. 104 

Political Convictions Protected. 3 

Powers of Grand Lodge. 9 

Of Executive Department. 1 

Of Judicial Department. 1 

Of Subordinate Lodges. 1 

(See also under head of Grand Lodge.) 

Preamble, Object of the Order. 

Proceedings of Subordinate Lodges— 

To be recorded. 105 

Proceedings of Grand Lodge— 

To be published. 29 

20 

Property of Suspended Lodges. 134 

Public Displays Forbidden. 114 

Publications, Elks— 

Requirements _of. 204 

Publication of Secret Wtjrk prohibited. 214 






















96 


INDEX 


Sec. Page 


Quorum— 

Of Grand Lodge. 7 5 

Of Subordinate Lodge. 102 36 

3 xi 

R 

Rank of Officers. 102 36 


Recommendations— 

Grand Exalted Ruler to make. 7 

Register, Visitors. 105 

Relief— 

Elk may be granted. 175 

Wife, Child, Widow. 176 

Remission of Dues. 177 

Member of another Lodge. 178 

Penalty for misrepresentation. 179 

Relief Committee. 27 

127 

Reinstatement of Suspended Lodge. 134 


8 

37 

55 

55 

55 

55 

56 

18 

44 

47 


Religious Convictions Protected. 3 

Rejected Candidates— 

Fee to be returned. 154 

May make another application. 150 

Removal from Office— 

Of Grand Lodge Officers.;. 10 

Of Grand Exalted Ruler. 3 

Of Subordinate Lodge Officer. 112 

Repeal of Former Statutes. 219 

Reports— 

Of Grand Lodge Proceedings to be published. 20 

Required annually of Grand Exalted Ruler. 7 

Required annually of Subordinate Lodge. 130 

Form of Report required. 130 

Penalty for failure. 130 

Representatives to Grand Lodge— 

Each Subordinate Lodge entitled to one. 4 

Term of office of. 4 

Election of . 4 

Expenses to be paid. 4 

Election of by Lodge under charter or dispen¬ 
sation, and his rights. 4 

Requirements of Members to Retain Membership in Grand 

Lodge . S 


11 

5i 

51 

6 

7 

39 

64 


8 

45 

45 

45 


4 

4 

5 
5 

5 


5 
































INDEX 


97 


Reserve Fund— 

(See Funds.) 

Resignation— 

Of Grand Exalted Ruler. J 

Retroactive Laws— 

Grand and Subordinate Lodges prohibited from 
passing . J 

Returns and Reports— 

(See under Reports.) 

Revenue of Grand Lodge. 48 


9 

IS 

Rights and Powers of Grand Lodge— 

(See under Powers of Grand Lodge.) 


Ritual, The— 

As part of the Supreme Law. 1 

To be prescribed by Grand Lodge. 9 

(See Committee on.) 

Subordinate Lodge officers must memorize their parts. Ill 

Deviations from, prohibited in initiations. 160 

(See also Initiation.) 

Rules and Order of Business. 

Rules and Regulations Governing Elks’ National Home. 58 


Page 


7 


11 


25 

6 

7 


i 

6 

39 

52 


65 

27 


8 


Seals— 

Of Grand Lodge. 2 ii 

Of Grand Exalted Ruler. 21 16 

Of Grand Forum. 68 29 

Of Subordinate Lodge. 105 35 

Secret Work— 

Publication of. Prohibited.214 63 


Secretary to Grand Exalted Ruler— 
Salary, etc. 


Sessions— 

Of Grand Lodge, (See Meetings). 
Session of Sorrow... 


Sickness and Distress— 

(See under Relief.) 


Soliciting— 

Frem Sister Lodges Prohibited 


22 

217 


1M 


Id 


64 


















9 8 


INDEX 


Sec. Page 

Social Sessions— 

When Held.. 193 59 

Non-Members Permitted to Attend. 193 59 

Proceedings of, etc. 194 6o 

Decorum Insisted on. 194 6o 

Penalty for Violation. 194 6o 

Societies of Elks— 

Other than Subordinate Lodges prohibited. 215 63 

Special Committees— 

(See under head of committees.) 


Special Deputy Grand Exalted Ruler. 9 8 

Special District Deputy,— 

Grand Exalted Ruler may appoint. 10 8 

Special Meetings— 

Of Grand Lodge. 6 5 

Of Subordinate Lodge. 106 38 

11 8 

Speeches, Nominating- 

Grand Lodge may limit. 2 13 

Standing Committees,— 

(See under head of committees.) 

State Association and Reunions. 215 63 

Statutes,— 

Part of the Supreme Law. 1 3 

Time when take effect defined. 13 6 

Amendments, how submitted. 12 6 

Grand Lodge has power to enact. 11 6 

Provision putting into effect. 219 64 

Street Fairs, Carnivals, Etc., Prohibited. 210 63 

Subordinate Officers of Grand Lodge,— 

(See under head of Grand Lodge officers.) 

Supreme Law, The. 1 3 

Summons- 

Failure to Obey punished. 208 62 

Supplies,— 

Price fixed by Grand Trustees. 36 21 

96 35 

To be procured of Grand Secretary. 36 21 

29 18 

Surrender of Charter,— 

Proceedings necessary. Ill 4 g 

























INDEX 


99 


Sec. 

Suspended Lodges,— 

Return of Property. 134 

May be Re-instated. 134 

Rights of Members. 135 

Re-instatement in another lodge of member who was 
in arrears. 173 

Suspended Members,— 

May apply to Grand Lodge for pardon. 159 

Suspension of Ledges,— 

Grand Exalted Ruler has authority. 133 

10 

Suspension of Members,— 

Grand Lodge has power. 8 


Page 


47 

47 

47 

54 


•52 


47 

8 

5 


SUBORDINATE LODGES 


Subordinate Lodges,— 

Grand Lodge to provide for institution of. 9 6 

Grand Lodge to enact laws to govern. 9 6 

Requirements for institution—Membership. 1 10 

Officers of. 107 38 

2 10 

Quorum, of. 102 36 

3 . 11 

Membership restricted to white male adult citizens 

of United States. 4 11 

Territorial Jurisdiction . 5 11 

Membership Pee. 6 11 

Must display charter. 7 11 

Jurisdictional Powers. 8 11 

Name hereafter restricted to that of city. 9 11 

Prohibited from passing retroactive or conflicting laws 3 11 

Each entitled to one representative to Grand Lodge.. 4 4 

Penalized for failure to vote on proposed amendment. 2 12 

Requirements as to population of city. 17 7 

Branches, degrees, auxiliaries, etc., prohibited. 19 7 

Members of Grand Lodge required to keep in good 

standing in. 5 5 

Restriction of but one lodge to a city. 18 7 

Dispensations, how granted. 8 8 

Grand Exalted Ruler can suspend. 10 8 

Grand Exalted Ruler can convene special session.... 11 8 

When Judicial Assembly. 74 30 

4 9 

Property of, when suspended. 4 12 

Vote on Amendment to Constitution. 1 12 

Authority of Grand Exalted Ruler over. 16 15 

6 8 

Accounts with Grand Lodge kept by Grand Secretary. 29 18 

Blanks for Annual Reports. 30 19 

By-Laws must be submitted te Judiciary Committee.. 166 53 


<1 J ' 23 































INDEX 


Duty of, as to Residents of Elks’ National Home 
Methods of Procedure in appeal from Judicial Assem¬ 
bly . 

Procedure to secure dispensation and charter. 

Organization, election of officers, etc., of new lodge.. 
(See also under New Lodges.) 


Order of Business prescribed. 

Point of Order. 

Seal . 


Time of Meeting. 


Required to make detailed annual report to Grand 
Secretary . 


Applications for Membership (See applications for 
Membership, Balloting for Candidates.) 


Re-instsrtement of member of dissolved or suspended 

.. 


Sec. 

Page 

f 

, 47 

24 

, 47 

24 

r- 47 

24 

65 

29 

87 

33 

94 

34 

98 

34 

98 

36 

101 

36 

102 

36 

103 

37 

104 

37 

105 

37 

105 

37 

106 

38 

106 

38 

108 

38 

110 

39 

112 

39 

114 

40 

115 

40 

116 

40 

125 

43 

126 

44 

127 

44 

128 

44 

129 

44 

130 

45 

130 

45 

130 

45 

131 

46 

131 

4^ 

134 

47 

134 

47 

135 

47 

148 

50 

149 

50 

158 

52 

160 

52 

161 

53 

162 

53 

163 

53 

164 

53 

S5-6 

53 

171 

54 

170 

54 

172 

54 

173 

54 















































INDEX 


IOI 


Sec. 

Relief of Members. 175 

Keliel ol Members of Other Lodges. 178 

Membership Cards. 190 

Social Sessions. 193 

Homes and Clubs, (See Clubs).195 

Commercialism defined and punishment therefor.203 

Elk publications, requirements of. 204 

Misrepresentation or fraud by Lodge. 207 

Soliciting other Lodges prohibited. 209 

Street fairs, carnivals, etc., prohibited.210 

Penalties prescribed. 211 

Publication of Secret Work prohibited. 214 

Supplies to be procured of Grand Secretary. 36 

29 

Forms of Blanks for....Appendix 


Subordinate Lodge Members,— 

Grand Lodge can pardon. 7 

If convicted of crime are liable to expulsion. 86 

Methods of appeal to different tribunals. 87 

In arrears can not vote at election of officers. 109 

Rights of those of suspended Lodges. 135 

Expelled member may apply for re-instatement. 158 

May apply to Grand Lodge for pardon. 159 

Exalted Ruler can suspend. 167 

Stricken from roll of suspended lodge can make ap¬ 
plication . 173 

Is termed an Elk. 185 

Unaffiliated Member defined. 187 


Cards of (See membership cards). 

Offenses of, defined. 206 

Misrepresentation be punished. 207 

Failure to obey summons punished. 208 

Soliciting other lodges forbidden. 209 

May receive aid, (See relief.) 

Penalties prescribed.211 

Publication of Secret Work prohibited.214 

(See also applications.) 

Forms of applications, etc.Appendix 


Page 

55 

55 

58 

59 

60 

61 

61 

62 

62 

63 
63 

63 

21 

18 

67 


10 

32 

33 
39 
47 
52 
52 
54 

54 

58 

58 


62 

62 

62 

62 

63 

63 

67 


SUBORDINATE LODGE OFFICERS 


Subordinate Lodge Officers,— 

Enumeration and Term of office of. 107 

2 

Grand Exalted Ruler has power over. 6 

Rank of. 102 

Authority of, etc. 107 

Election of. 108 

Installation .... 110 

Must Memorize Ritual. Ill 

May be removed or impeached. 112 

Absence cause of removal. 112 

Vacancies, how filled. 115 

Duties of, defined... 116 


(See also under Individual Title*.) 


38 

10 

8 

36 

38 

38 

39 
39 
39 

39 

40 
40 













































102 


INDEX 


Exalted Ruler,— 

Election and term of office.. 

May call special meeting. 

Duties of.. 

To appoint Standing Committees 
May suspend member. 

Esteemed Leading Knight,— 

Election and term of office of... 

Duties of.. 

Esteemed Loyal Knight,— 

Election and term of office of... 

Duties of. 


Sec. 


107 

2 

106 

116 

125 

167 


107 

2 

117 


107 

2 

117 


Esteemed Lecturing Knight,— 

Election and term of office of. 107 

2 

Duties of.117 


Secretary of Subordinate Lodge.— 

Election and term of office. 107 

2 

Grand Secretary to provide blanks for annual report. 30 

Duties of. 118 

Required to make annual report to Grand Secretary.. 130 

Form of report required. 130 

Lodge subject to fine for failure to report. 130 

Supplies to be obtained from Grand Secretary. 36 

29 

Treasurer of Subordinate Lodge,— 

Election and term of office. 1©7 

2 

Duties of. bond, etc. 1-18 

Chaplain,— 

Appointment and term of office. 107 

2 

Duties of, etc. 122 

Esquire,— 

Appointment and term of office. 107 

2 

Duties of, etc. 123 

Inner Guard,— 

Appointment and term of office.. . 187 

2 

Duties of . 122 


























INDEX 


103 


Tiler,— 

Election and term of office 
Duties of. 


Sec. 

Page 

107 

38 

2 

10 

120 

42 


Trustees of Subordinate Lodge,— 
Election and term of office 

Duties of. 


107 

2 

121 


38 

10 

42 


Organist,— 

Duties of. 

Subordinate Lodge Committees,— 

Finance . 

Visiting ..... 

Relief . 

Special . 

Powers of, etc. 


124 43 


125 

126 

127 

128 
129 


43 

44 
44 
44 
44 


T 


Ticket Selling to Sister Lodges Prohibited. 209 62 

Time of Grand Lodge Meetings. 6 5 

Time of Subordinate Lodge Meetings. 106 38 

Two-Thirds Vote Required to,— 

Impeach Grand Lodge officer. 14 6 

Necessary to pardon. 7 10 

To amend constitution. 2 12 

To convict before Judicial Assembly. 84 32 

U 

Unaffiliated Elk defined. 187 58 

Restrictions on. 188 58 

Penalty for Violation. 189 58 

Unanimous Vote,— 

May be cast in Grand Lodge election. 8 14 

V 

Vacancies,— 

In Grand Lodge offices, how filled. 5 8 

In Subordinate Lodge office, how filled. 115 40 

Visiting Brothers. 192 55 

Visiting Cards,— 

(See Membership Cards.) 


























104 


INDEX 


Sec. Pag* 


Visiting Committee. 126 44 

Visitors' Register. 105 37 

Vote,— 

Of Subordinate Lodge on Amendment to Constitution 1 12 


W 

White, Male, Adult Citizens of the United States,— 

Only Eligible to membership. 4 11 

Wife and Widow,— 

(See under Relief.) 

Work and Ritual,— 

(See Committee on.) 


That of Grand Lodge defined. 1 n 

Of Lodge under dispensation. 58 36 

Yeas and Noes,— 

How demanded.. 16 J 


f 








\ 




¥ - 


I 












